Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for Alpine, TX

Alpine, TX is in USDA zones 8a to 8b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost November 3.

Alpine on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zones8a–8b10 to 20 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostApr 2

First frostNov 3

Growing season216 days

8a 1 ZIP 8b 1 ZIP

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Alpine, TX…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Alpine, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 19

Growing season216 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 14 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Alpine, TX, elevation 4,449 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Alpine

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 8 – Sep 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 20 – Nov 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 2) and first fall frost (Nov 3) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 79831 came on Feb 6 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

average
Feb 62026
Feb 6

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 8a in Texas

601 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Alpine, TX.

Soil in Alpine, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79831 is Brewster — very gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.9neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Brewster-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 70 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 79831; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Alpine, TX

Summer high92 °Faverage high, June

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days82days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights56nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,247base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 06 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 11 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation16.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Alpine, TX (5 mi away); precipitation: Alpine, TX (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Alpine

Texas planting zones →

Questions about Alpine

What planting zone is Alpine, TX?

Alpine, TX is in USDA hardiness zones 8a to 8b on the 2023 map (8a: 10 to 15 °F; 8b: 15 to 20 °F).

When is the last frost in Alpine, TX?

The median last spring frost is April 2 and the median first fall frost is November 3 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alpine station).

When can I plant a garden in Alpine, TX?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 19 – Mar 12; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 9, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Alpine, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 06 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Alpine, TX get?

About 16.1 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).