Frost Dates for Shawnee, OK

In Shawnee, OK, the average last spring frost is around Mar 30 and the average first fall frost around Nov 5, for a growing season of about 221 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 16, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostMar 3050% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantApr 16only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostNov 550% chance of frost before this date
Growing season221 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Shawnee 3Nnw Mesonet, OK weather station, under 1 mile away, elevation 1,076 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%Apr 16Oct 22
20%Apr 9Oct 27
30%Apr 5Oct 31
40%Apr 2Nov 2
50%Mar 30Nov 5
60%Mar 27Nov 8
70%Mar 22Nov 11
80%Mar 17Nov 15
90%Mar 10Nov 20

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)Apr 12Oct 28
Frost / freeze (32°F)Mar 30Nov 5
Hard freeze (28°F)Mar 15Nov 14

Planting calendar for Shawnee

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Feb 2 – Feb 16
Transplant Apr 6 – Apr 20
Peppers
Indoors Jan 19 – Feb 2
Transplant Apr 13 – Apr 27
Eggplant
Indoors Jan 19 – Feb 2
Transplant Apr 13 – Apr 27
Basil
Indoors Feb 16 – Mar 2
Transplant Apr 6 – Apr 20
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 2 – Mar 9
Sow or transplant Apr 6 – Apr 20
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 2 – Mar 9
Sow or transplant Apr 6 – Apr 20
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Apr 6 – Apr 20
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 2 – Mar 9
Sow or transplant Apr 13 – Apr 27
Green beans
Sow Apr 6 – Apr 20
Sweet corn
Sow Apr 6 – Apr 20
Lettuce
Indoors Feb 16 – Mar 2
Sow or transplant Mar 2 – Mar 16
Fall sowing Sep 10 – Oct 8
Spinach
Sow Feb 16 – Mar 9
Fall sowing Sep 10 – Oct 1
Peas
Sow Feb 16 – Mar 2
Fall sowing Aug 27 – Sep 10
Kale
Indoors Feb 2 – Feb 16
Sow or transplant Mar 2 – Mar 16
Fall sowing Aug 27 – Sep 24
Broccoli
Indoors Feb 2 – Feb 16
Transplant Mar 16 – Mar 30
Fall sowing Aug 13 – Aug 27
Cabbage
Indoors Feb 2 – Feb 16
Transplant Mar 9 – Mar 23
Fall sowing Aug 13 – Aug 27
Carrots
Sow Mar 9 – Mar 30
Fall sowing Aug 13 – Aug 27
Radishes
Sow Feb 23 – Mar 16
Fall sowing Sep 24 – Oct 15
Beets
Sow Mar 9 – Mar 30
Fall sowing Aug 27 – Sep 10
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Jan 5 – Jan 19
Plant Mar 2 – Mar 16
Potatoes
Plant Mar 9 – Mar 23
Garlic
Plant Nov 5 – Dec 3

Based on the average last frost (Mar 30) and first frost (Nov 5). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

NormanMidwest CityMooreOklahoma CityEdmondYukonStillwaterJenksAll Oklahoma towns