Frost dates for ZIP 73438 (Healdton, OK)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Healdton 3 E, OK (6 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)204 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8a10 to 15°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
65°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 64°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Prairie Hill Nocona (34 mi), Filter Plant Nocona (36 mi), Berkley Ranch (57 mi).
4-inch depth
67°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 67°F, as of Oct 17, 11:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Prairie Hill Nocona (34 mi), Filter Plant Nocona (36 mi), Berkley Ranch (57 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 73438 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 67°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: South Central plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about May 22 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 1: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Mar 20 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 6 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 25 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 15 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 1 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 14 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 20 | Oct 21 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 28 | Nov 8 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 73438
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Nov 1). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 9–23 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 9–23 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 9–23 | Mar 16–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 9–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–27 (transplant) Aug 23–Sep 20 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 23–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–27 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 9–23 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) Mar 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) Jul 26–Aug 23 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 9–23 | Mar 9–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 9–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) Jul 26–Aug 23 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 23 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 23 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 23 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 12–26 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | Jul 12–Aug 2 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 9–23 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) Mar 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 9–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Mar 23–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 9–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 16–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 2–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 16–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 9–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 12–26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 23–Mar 23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 12–26 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 20–Oct 18 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | Sep 20–Oct 18 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | Jul 12–26 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 27–May 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 9–16 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 9–16 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 9–16 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 9–16 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 9–16 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 12–26 | Apr 13–20 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 16–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | Aug 23–Sep 20 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Oklahoma has a university or garden plant program: Oklahoma Proven. Plant frost-tender annuals after April 6 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Healdton 3 E, OK (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00344001), elevation 902 ft, 5.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ringling 1N Mesonet, OK | 8 mi | Mar 23 | Nov 7 |
| Ardmore 7WNW Mesonet, OK | 18 mi | Mar 21 | Nov 8 |
| Ardmore, OK | 21 mi | Mar 15 | Nov 14 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 22 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 73438
When is the last frost in 73438?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 73438 is April 6. For a more cautious planting date, use April 25, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 73438?
The average first fall freeze is November 1. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 15.
What hardiness zone is 73438?
ZIP 73438 is in USDA zone 8a (10 to 15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 73438 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
73435 Fox 73437 73481 Ratliff City 73442 Loco 73463 Wilson 73458 73425 73487 Tatums
Other ZIP codes in Carter County
73401 73435 73436 73437 73443 73444 73458 73463 73481 73487 73488 All Carter County frost dates · Oklahoma frost dates
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