DALLAS — This happens every year...
Temps start to warm up a bit in February and North Texans get the urge to break out the trowels and work on their green thumb.
However, I'd exercise caution!
Where we stand
This winter has been wetter and warmer overall, which has led to a lower than normal number of freezes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Officially, DFW has seen 14 freezes this winter and we normally average around 24 at this point in the season.
For the whole cold season, we average 29 freezes, so there's a very good chance we will end this cold season with a below normal number of freezes.
If you are wondering, the fewest freezes ever recorded during a cold season was during the winter of 2016 to 2017 when DFW only saw 11 freezes.
Those stats coupled with the fact that it has been above normal recently may make you want to start with the spring planting, but freezes are definitely still possible the rest of the month and into March.
Average last freeze
The average last freeze in DFW is not until almost the middle part of March. March 12th to be exact. And the latest freeze on record is April 13th in both 1997 and 1957.
In fact, since 1990, 66% of years have seen a freeze in March.
Only one year (1997) since 1990 has seen a freeze in April.
When can I start planting?
To be safe, it's best to hold off until the second half of March as the chance of a freeze really decreases by then.
I would use extreme caution if you want to be bold enough in planting anything the rest of February. If you do decide to plant early, just be aware you may have to take precautions to protect those new flowers, plants and bulbs if freezing temps come around again.
In fact, as I write this, North Texas has a chance for another freeze the weekend of Feb. 17-18. On Saturday morning, areas northwest of DFW have a chance for a freeze with almost all of North Texas having the potential for freezing temps Sunday morning.
