Fall in zone 7aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 73843 (Gage, 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, Gage AP, OK (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2050% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)185 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7a0 to 5°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 73843, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
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 73843 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring mid-February to mid-March; fall September to early October.
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 Jun 2 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
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 20: 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) | Apr 1 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 17 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 2 |
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 6 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 20 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 2 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 28 | Oct 12 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 17 | Oct 20 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 6 | Oct 29 |
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 73843
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Oct 20). 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 20–Mar 6 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Mar 27–Apr 17 (transplant) Mar 20–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 15 (transplant) Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 15 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 25 (transplant) Jul 14–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Mar 20–Apr 17 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 25 (transplant) Jul 14–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 6–20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 14–Aug 11 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 6–20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 14–Aug 11 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 6–20 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 14–Aug 11 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jun 30–Jul 21 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 22 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 20–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 6–20 | Apr 3–24 (transplant) Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 27–Apr 24 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 13–Apr 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 20–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 27–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 20–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 6–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 8–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 8–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jun 30–Jul 14 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 20–27 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 20–27 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 20–27 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 20–27 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 20–27 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 6–20 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 6–20 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (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 17 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Gage AP, OK (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00013975), elevation 2,191 ft, 7.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Follett, TX | 17 mi | Apr 16 | Oct 27 |
| Arnett 3NE, OK | 17 mi | Apr 15 | Oct 27 |
| Ft Supply 3SE, OK | 19 mi | Apr 21 | Oct 19 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 6 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 73843
When is the last frost in 73843?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 73843 is April 17. For a more cautious planting date, use May 2, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 73843?
The average first fall freeze is October 20. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 6.
What hardiness zone is 73843?
ZIP 73843 is in USDA zone 7a (0 to 5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 73843 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
73840 Fargo 73851 May 73841 Fort Supply 73858 Shattuck 79034 Follett 73848 Laverne 79046 Higgins 73801 Woodward
Other ZIP codes in Ellis County
73832 73840 73841 73851 73858 All Ellis County frost dates · Oklahoma frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.