In Oklahoma City, OK, the average last spring frost is Apr 2 and the average first fall frost is Nov 4, which leaves about 216 frost-free days for the garden. These dates come from NOAA climate normals for the Oklahoma City Post Airport, OK weather station, at 1,297 feet above sea level.
A long season lets you do more than one planting: a spring crop, a second planting of quick crops in summer, and a fall garden. Succession planting works well here. Frost timing varies from year to year: in about 1 spring in 10 the last frost falls as late as Apr 18, and in about 1 fall in 10 the first frost arrives as early as Oct 21.
Frost dates for Oklahoma City, OK
| Chance of a freeze (32°F) after or before this date | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Freeze-free season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic (about 1 year in 10) | Mar 14 | Nov 18 | 249 days |
| Average (half of years) | Apr 2 | Nov 4 | 216 days |
| Cautious (9 years in 10 are safe) | Apr 18 | Oct 21 | 186 days |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991 to 2020. Use the cautious dates for tender crops such as tomatoes and peppers.
When to plant in Oklahoma City, OK
These windows count weeks forward and back from the average frost dates above. They are planning guides: check the forecast before planting tender crops, and see our what to plant now tool for today's date.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors in spring | Plant in fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | Apr 9 to Apr 16 | – |
| Peppers | Jan 22 to Feb 5 | Apr 16 to Apr 23 | – |
| Eggplant | Jan 22 to Feb 5 | Apr 16 to Apr 23 | – |
| Onions | Jan 22 to Feb 5 | Mar 5 to Mar 19 | – |
| Parsley | Jan 22 to Feb 5 | Apr 2 to Apr 9 | – |
| Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | Mar 19 to Mar 26 | Aug 12 to Sep 9 |
| Basil | Feb 19 to Feb 19 | Apr 9 to Apr 16 | – |
| Peas | Sow outdoors | Feb 19 to Mar 5 | Aug 12 to Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors | Feb 19 to Mar 5 | Sep 9 to Oct 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors | Feb 19 to Mar 5 | Sep 9 to Oct 7 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors | Mar 5 to Mar 19 | Sep 9 to Oct 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors | Mar 5 to Mar 19 | Aug 12 to Sep 9 |
| Beets | Sow outdoors | Mar 5 to Mar 19 | Aug 12 to Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | Sow outdoors | Mar 5 to Mar 19 | – |
| Kale | Sow outdoors | Mar 5 to Mar 19 | Aug 12 to Sep 9 |
| Swiss chard | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | – |
| Cilantro | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Sep 9 to Oct 7 |
| Dill | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 to Apr 9 | – |
| Bush beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 to Apr 16 | Aug 1 to Aug 15 |
| Pole beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 to Apr 16 | – |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 to Apr 16 | – |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 to Apr 16 | Jul 22 to Aug 5 |
| Zucchini and summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 to Apr 16 | Aug 1 to Aug 15 |
| Winter squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 to Apr 16 | – |
| Sweet potatoes (slips) | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 to Apr 30 | – |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 to Apr 30 | – |
A dash in the fall column means the crop is not usually planted in fall, or the season is too short.
Overnight lows this week
No frost is forecast in the next week, according to the National Weather Service.
| Night | Forecast low | Frost risk |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 14 night | 39°F | No frost expected |
| Sun 15 night | 39°F | No frost expected |
| Mon 16 night | 40°F | No frost expected |
| Tue 17 night | 44°F | No frost expected |
| Wed 18 night | 52°F | No frost expected |
| Thu 19 night | 56°F | No frost expected |
| Fri 20 night | 56°F | No frost expected |
Live forecast for the station location, from the National Weather Service. For your own ZIP code, use our garden weather forecast.
More garden tools for Oklahoma City, OK
- Frost dates by ZIP code for your exact location
- What to plant now, based on today's date
- Garden weather forecast by ZIP code
- Safe transplant date calculator
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Oklahoma City, OK?
The average last spring frost is Apr 2. A late frost as far out as Apr 18 happens in about 1 year in 10, so tender plants such as tomatoes and peppers are safest after that cautious date.
When is the first frost in Oklahoma City, OK?
The average first fall frost is Nov 4. It can arrive as early as Oct 21 in about 1 year in 10, so plan to harvest tender crops before then.
How long is the growing season in Oklahoma City, OK?
The average freeze-free season is about 216 days, between the average last spring frost and the average first fall frost.
Where do these dates come from?
They come from the NOAA 1991 to 2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the Oklahoma City Post Airport, OK station. Hills, valleys, lakes and city heat can shift frost by a week or more, so compare with neighbors who garden near you.