Frost Dates for Fort Stockton, TX 79735
Last spring frost March 26 · First fall frost November 12 · 231 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 79735 has about 13,400 people.
Long season: 231 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 5–April 16 (42 days). Fall frost risk spans October 23–November 30 (38 days).
Frost probability for 79735
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 16 | March 26 | March 5 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 23 | November 12 | November 30 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at FT STOCKTON (18.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 231-day season in Fort Stockton
In Fort Stockton (231 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 19 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 9. | Jul 13 |
| Pepper | Feb 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 9. | Jul 18 |
| Lettuce | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 21 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 273 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 273 available after Mar 5. | Sep 10 |
| Cucumber | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Beans | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Peas | — | Jan 29–Apr 9 | 294 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 294 available after Jan 29. | Sep 1 |
| Zucchini | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Onion | Jan 1 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 266 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 29–Mar 19 | 308 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 3. | Oct 10 |
| Kale | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 25 |
| Broccoli | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 266 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 26. | Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 280 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 280 available after Feb 26. | Sep 10 |
| Radish | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Oct 11 |
| Beets | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 252 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 12 | 336 | overwinter: Plant Nov 12 to Dec 3; harvest the following summer. | Dec 3 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 19–Apr 16 | 287 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 19; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 203 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 2. | Jul 25 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 9 | 196 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 9. | Jun 30 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 12 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 245 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 19. | Aug 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 12 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 308 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 3. | Oct 10 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 280 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 280 available after Feb 26. | Aug 11 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 196 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 9. | Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Feb 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 189 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 9. | Jul 23 |
| Okra | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Basil | Feb 19 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 26–Mar 19 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Parsley | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 231 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 2. | Aug 27 |
| Celery | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 231 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 2. | Jul 8 |
| Scallions | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 20 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 30 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 12–Feb 26 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 25 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 26 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 21 |
| Collards | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 20 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 189 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 9. | Jul 8 |
| Chives | Jan 1 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 245 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 245 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Oregano | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 245 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 245 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 1 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 231 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Sage | Jan 29 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 245 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 245 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 245 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 245 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Cosmos | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Lavender | Jan 1 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 252 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Melons | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 189 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 9. | Jul 8 |
| Mint | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 252 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 210 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 2. | Aug 11 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 9. | Jul 10 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 217 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 26. | Aug 6 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 29 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 196 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 2. | Jul 18 |
| Watermelon | Mar 12 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 196 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 2. | Jul 13 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Zinnias | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
Month by month in Fort Stockton
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 1), Lavender (Jan 1), Onion (Jan 1), Rosemary (Jan 1), Celery (Jan 15), Collards (Jan 15), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 29), Beets (Jan 29), Dill (Jan 29), Peas (Jan 29), Radish (Jan 29), Spinach (Jan 29). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 5), Calendula (Feb 12), Cauliflower (Feb 12), Marigolds (Feb 12), Pepper (Feb 12), Basil (Feb 19), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 12), Cilantro (Feb 26), Turnip (Feb 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 26), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 26), Cabbage (Feb 26), Collards (Feb 26), Kale (Feb 26), Lettuce (Feb 26), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 19). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 5), Butternut Squash (Mar 12), Cantaloupe (Mar 12), Melons (Mar 12), Pumpkin (Mar 12), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 5), Potatoes (Mar 12), Sunflowers (Mar 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 12), Swiss Chard (Mar 12), Bok Choy (Mar 19), Cauliflower (Mar 19), Cosmos (Mar 26), Lavender (Mar 26), +4 more. Last frost around March 26. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 2), Pole Beans (Apr 2). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 2), Chives (Apr 2), Corn (Apr 2), Okra (Apr 2), Oregano (Apr 2), Parsley (Apr 2), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 30), Pumpkin (Jun 30). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 8), Celery (Jul 8), Melons (Jul 8), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 10), Tomato (Jul 13), Watermelon (Jul 13), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 6), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 11), Pole Beans (Aug 11), Basil (Aug 16), Cosmos (Aug 16), Cucumber (Aug 16), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Peas (Sep 1), Cabbage (Sep 10), Carrots (Sep 10), Beets (Sep 11), Dill (Sep 11), Swiss Chard (Sep 11), +9 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 10), Spinach (Oct 10), Radish (Oct 11). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 12). First frost around November 12. |
| December | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 3). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Fort Stockton, TX (ZIP 79735)?
The median last spring frost date for Fort Stockton, TX (ZIP code 79735) is around March 26. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 5; one in ten it runs past April 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Fort Stockton, TX?
The median first fall frost date for Fort Stockton, TX is around November 12. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 23 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Fort Stockton, TX?
The frost-free growing season in Fort Stockton is about 231 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Fort Stockton (231 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Fort Stockton, TX?
Fort Stockton, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Fort Stockton, TX?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 19 and plant out Apr 9 in Fort Stockton. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Fort Stockton?
Two: plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 19.
When do I plant garlic in Fort Stockton?
Nov 12 to Dec 3; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Fort Stockton?
Yes: plant out Apr 9 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 13 for a fall crop.
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