Fort Worth, Texas Frost Dates, Growing Season & Hardiness Zone

When is the last frost in Fort Worth?

Expect the last 32°F night by Mar 5 in a typical year; 1 year in 10 still freezes after Mar 25. Cold 36°F nights (frost possible on plants) typically last longer, until around Mar 18. Hard freezes (28°F) typically end sooner, around Feb 22.

Frost risk in Fort Worth drags on well past the typical date. The safer 1-in-10 date (Mar 25) is 20 days later than the typical Mar 5, so protect tender plants set out early on cold nights.

Cool nights hang on after the last freeze: the typical last 36°F night (frost possible on plants in low spots) is around Mar 18, 13 days later than the typical last 32°F night. Frost can form on leaves on clear, calm nights even with the thermometer above freezing.

Is it too early to plant in Fort Worth?

Before Mar 5 the odds of another 32°F night are better than even; after Mar 25 they are about 1 in 10 or less.

Today's risk is computed in your browser from the same NOAA probability table, shown as the range between the two nearest NOAA probability levels.

When is the first frost in Fort Worth?

The typical first fall freeze (32°F) comes by Nov 24, but 1 year in 10 it shows up as early as Nov 3. Cold 36°F nights (frost possible on plants) typically start around Nov 11, and the first hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around Dec 6.

For fall crops, count back from Nov 24, or from Nov 3 to be safe. Our planting calendar does the math for each crop.

How long is Fort Worth's growing season?

Fort Worth's frost-free season (32°F) typically runs 264 days. In about 1 year out of 10, it's shorter than 237 days.

With a season this long, you can grow many crops twice: once in spring and again for fall.

Growing degree days measure the heat available for crops to grow. The station averages 6,864 a year (base 50°F).

How does Fort Worth's season compare?

Of the 6 Texas cities with frost dates on this site, Fort Worth has a typical frost-free season of 264 days, which is the 5th longest.

Among the 56 U.S. cities with frost dates on this site, the typical frost-free season here is longer than in 42 of them and shorter than in 13.

Growing degree days (base 50°F)

Annual normal: 6,864 GDD (NOAA flag R, 10 years). Running total by the end of each month (sum of NOAA daily GDD normals, so the year-end total can differ slightly from the annual normal):

What growing zone is Fort Worth? (USDA 2023)

Fort Worth is in USDA zone 8b on the 2023 map, which means an average coldest winter night of 15 to 20°F. Most of the city was 8a on the 2012 map, and 36 of 36 city ZIPs found in both tables moved up half a zone.

Zones: PRISM Group, Oregon State University, https://prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed 2026-10-08. Shown as published in the ZIP tables; this page does not show a zone map. Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (official map: planthardiness.ars.usda.gov).

Does the new zone change Fort Worth's frost dates?

No. A hardiness zone reflects only the average coldest winter temperature, not the timing of spring or fall frost. Fort Worth's frost dates come from NOAA's 1991–2020 frost probabilities, and the 2023 zone map didn't change them. Pick perennials that survive winter by zone; time your planting by frost dates.

Why do Fort Worth frost dates differ between websites?

If you've seen Mar 12 listed as Fort Worth's last frost date, that's the 30%-risk date: about 3 years in 10 still get a 32°F night after it. We lead with Mar 5, the 50% (median) date.

Mar 25 is the date we call 'safer': it's the 10%-risk date, with a 32°F night after it in only about 1 year in 10.

Mar 18 is the 50% date for a 36°F night (frost possible on plants), not a 32°F freeze. Sites that treat 36°F as the danger line show later dates.

Station choice is another reason dates differ. Our 14 qualifying stations within 25 miles of the city center range from Mar 3 to Mar 25 for the typical (50%) last 32°F frost (table below).

Which weather station is this based on?

Station

Fort Worth Meacham Field NAAF (NOAA USW00093904, WBAN/ASOS-AWOS)

Distance

2.4 mi N of the city center

Elevation

705 ft; city center 552 ft (USGS), difference +153 ft

Record

NOAA completeness flag R, 11 of 30 years (1991–2020)

Confidence

Medium (rule)

Confidence: Medium. The station meets our quality rules, but its distance (2.4 mi) or elevation difference (+153 ft) is larger than ideal. Its frost statistics: NOAA flag R, 11 of 30 years.

Caveat: these frost statistics carry NOAA's 'R' (representative) flag. They're based on 11 of the 30 years in 1991–2020, with missing months filled in from surrounding stations. The nearest station with a full 'S' (standard) record is Fort Worth Meacham Field, 2.7 mi away, with a typical last frost of Mar 11.

Fort Worth planting dates at a glance

Balanced dates use the 30%-risk last-frost date as the anchor. The Fort Worth planting calendar has typical and safe dates, fall planting and a month-by-month list for 26 vegetables.

When to plant tomatoes in Fort Worth · Fall planting dates for Fort Worth

Frost dates near Fort Worth

All Texas cities

Frequently asked questions

What is the average last frost date in Fort Worth?

Mar 5 is the median (50%) date for Fort Worth's last 32°F night, from NOAA 1991–2020 normals at Fort Worth Meacham Field NAAF. To play it safe, use Mar 25: only about 1 year in 10 has a freeze after it.

When is the first frost in Fort Worth?

Typically by Nov 24 for the first 32°F night, though about 1 year in 10 it comes as early as Nov 3. The first 36°F night (frost possible on plants) typically shows up around Nov 11.

What growing zone is Fort Worth, Texas?

On the current 2023 USDA map, Fort Worth is in hardiness zone 8b. Older references based on the 2012 map may say 8a, which covered most of the city then.

Is it too early to plant in Fort Worth?

Before Mar 5, yes, for anything frost-tender. Until then, the odds of another 32°F night are better than even. The risk falls from 50% to 10% between Mar 5 and Mar 25. Peas, lettuce and other cool-season crops can go in weeks earlier; the planting calendar has dates.

What temperature is a killing frost?

A light frost is enough to kill tender crops such as tomatoes. CSU Extension describes 28–32°F as a light frost and anything below 28°F as a heavy frost. We report NOAA odds at three thresholds: 36°F (frost possible on plants), 32°F (freeze, our headline) and 28°F (hard freeze).

Is first frost the same as first freeze?

Not exactly. A freeze is about the air reaching 32°F. Frost is ice on surfaces, which can form on calm, clear nights while the air is still a few degrees above freezing. So in Fort Worth, the first 36°F night (frost possible on plants) typically comes around Nov 11, ahead of the first 32°F night (Nov 24).

Download & sources

• Add Fort Worth frost & planting dates to your calendar (.ics, 2027)
• Printable planting calendar (PDF)
• How these numbers are calculated

Data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal and daily normals, station USW00093904); USDA Plant Hardiness Zone ZIP tables 2023 and 2012 by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; Census 2020 ZIP/place relationship file; USGS elevation. Long-term odds, not a forecast. Figures and sentences are generated from these data by fixed rules; see the methodology. Last updated 2026-10-08.