Last frost date in Portland, TX

Average last frost
January 31

Expect the last frost in Portland around January 31. Frost after March 2 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 22, which leaves 331 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 29 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 2
Average first frost
Dec 22
Frost-free season
331 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 11
Next 7 nights in Portland

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2266°
  2. FriOct 2371°
  3. SatOct 2471°
  4. SunOct 2570°
  5. MonOct 2670°
  6. TueOct 2767°
  7. WedOct 2866°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 31First frost Dec 22331 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND331 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Corpus Christi NWS, 13.1 miles from Portland.

Planting calendar for Portland

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Texas.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesFeb 15–Mar 1
PumpkinsFeb 15–Mar 1
SunflowersFeb 15–Mar 8
CucumbersFeb 22–Mar 1
CornFeb 15–Mar 1
Sweet potatoesFeb 21–Mar 7
WatermelonFeb 15–Mar 1
Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8
ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1
OkraFeb 21–Mar 7
PeppersFeb 15–Mar 1
BasilFeb 15–Mar 1
Butternut squashFeb 15–Mar 1
CantaloupeFeb 15–Mar 1
EggplantFeb 15–Mar 1
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesJan 3–Jan 17
OnionsDec 20–Jan 10
CarrotsJan 10–Feb 14
LettuceJan 17–Feb 7
BroccoliJan 3–Jan 17
BeetsJan 3–Feb 14
PeasDec 20–Jan 3
CabbageJan 3–Jan 17
RadishesDec 27–Feb 7
Brussels sproutsJan 17–Jan 31
SpinachDec 20–Jan 10
CilantroJan 17–Feb 7
KaleJan 3–Jan 17
Collard greensJan 3–Jan 17
TurnipsJan 3–Jan 17
DillJan 31–Feb 14
CeleryFeb 7–Feb 14
CauliflowerJan 17–Jan 31
LeeksJan 17–Jan 31
Swiss chardJan 17–Feb 14
ParsleyJan 17–Feb 7
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesJan 3–Jan 17
AsparagusJan 3–Jan 17

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 24Jan 31Mar 2Nov 29Dec 22Feb 1
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 13Jan 11Feb 17Dec 7Jan 1Feb 4

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Corpus Christi NWS (USC00412011) sits 13.1 miles from the center of Portland at 44 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Portland, TX?

The average last frost date in Portland is January 31, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 2.

When is the first frost in Portland?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 22. One year in ten it arrives before November 29.

How long is the growing season in Portland?

About 331 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Portland?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from February 15 to March 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Texas

All 171 cities in Texas