Harman US

Frost Dates for Fort Worth, TX

Last spring frost
Mar 9
First fall frost
Nov 20
Growing season
253 days
Hardiness zone
8b

In an average year around Fort Worth, TX, the last spring frost (32°F) is about Mar 9 and the first fall frost is about Nov 20, giving roughly a 253-day growing season. To be safe most years, wait until Feb 19 before setting out tender plants.

Last spring frost

Dates the last frost of spring typically ends. Plant tender crops after the risk has passed for your comfort level.

Last spring frost - Fort Worth, TX
Frost intensity Early (10%) Average (50%) Late (90%)
Light (36°F) Apr 15 Mar 25 Mar 2
Freeze (32°F) Apr 2 Mar 9 Feb 19
Hard (28°F) Mar 16 Feb 26 Feb 2
Severe (24°F) Mar 8 Feb 12 Jan 15
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
°F 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
36°F Apr 15 Apr 7 Apr 3 Mar 30 Mar 25 Mar 20 Mar 14 Mar 9 Mar 2
32°F Apr 2 Mar 25 Mar 18 Mar 13 Mar 9 Mar 5 Mar 1 Feb 26 Feb 19
28°F Mar 16 Mar 10 Mar 6 Mar 1 Feb 26 Feb 22 Feb 18 Feb 12 Feb 2
24°F Mar 8 Mar 1 Feb 24 Feb 17 Feb 12 Feb 6 Jan 31 Jan 27 Jan 15
20°F Feb 28 Feb 16 Feb 9 Feb 5 Jan 31 Jan 25 Jan 18 Jan 9 Dec 29
16°F Feb 16 Feb 8 Feb 3 Jan 29 Jan 21 Jan 16 Jan 7 Jan 1 Dec 20

First fall frost

Dates the first frost of fall typically arrives. Count back by a crop's days-to-maturity to know your planting cutoff.

First fall frost - Fort Worth, TX
Frost intensity Early (10%) Average (50%) Late (90%)
Light (36°F) Oct 24 Nov 8 Nov 30
Freeze (32°F) Oct 31 Nov 20 Dec 10
Hard (28°F) Nov 10 Dec 3 Dec 25
Severe (24°F) Nov 22 Dec 16 Jan 16
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
°F 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
36°F Oct 24 Oct 29 Nov 1 Nov 5 Nov 8 Nov 12 Nov 16 Nov 22 Nov 30
32°F Oct 31 Nov 5 Nov 10 Nov 15 Nov 20 Nov 25 Dec 1 Dec 4 Dec 10
28°F Nov 10 Nov 19 Nov 25 Nov 30 Dec 3 Dec 6 Dec 11 Dec 17 Dec 25
24°F Nov 22 Dec 1 Dec 5 Dec 11 Dec 16 Dec 22 Dec 28 Jan 2 Jan 16
20°F Dec 6 Dec 13 Dec 22 Dec 28 Jan 1 Jan 6 Jan 13 Jan 22 Feb 5
16°F Dec 13 Dec 24 Dec 31 Jan 3 Jan 10 Jan 17 Jan 24 Feb 1 Feb 9

Growing season is measured at 32°F with about 50% probability. Hardiness zone from the 2023 USDA map; frost normals from NOAA 1991-2020.

Where this data comes from

These dates are computed from the nearest official weather station with long-term records: Arlington Six Flags, Tx, about 6.3 miles away@if(!empty($station['elevation_ft'])), at 536 ft elevation. The further the station and the greater the elevation difference from your yard, the more your local frost timing can vary.

@endif
How we calculate these dates

Frost and freeze dates come from the NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 30-year averages for each weather station. A date shown at the 50% level is the median: in half of years the frost falls on or before it. The 10% and 90% columns show the early and late ends of the range, so you can plant on the odds you're comfortable with. These are long-term averages, not a forecast for this year - always check your local outlook before planting.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 Climate Normals (public domain). Harman is not affiliated with or endorsed by NOAA.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Fort Worth, TX?

On average, the last spring frost (32°F) around Fort Worth, TX is about Mar 9. In cooler years it can run later, so for a safer bet many gardeners wait until Feb 19.

When is the first frost in the fall?

The first fall frost around Fort Worth, TX typically arrives about Nov 20. Count back by a crop's days to maturity to find the latest date you can plant it.

When can I plant tomatoes and other tender crops?

Tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil are damaged by frost, so wait until the last spring frost has passed - around Mar 9 on average, or Feb 19 to be safe most years.

How long is the growing season here?

The frost-free growing season (between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) is about 253 days in a typical year.

Are these dates a forecast for this year?

No. They are 30-year averages from the NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals, not a prediction for the current year. Use them for planning and always check your local weather forecast before planting or protecting crops.

Local weather for 76120 Planting calendar → Texas frost dates →

Data source: NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals · Page updated Aug 4, 2026