Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Big Sandy, TX

Big Sandy, TX is in USDA zone 8b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost November 8.

Big Sandy 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostMar 26

First frostNov 8

Growing season229 days

8b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Big Sandy, 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 Big Sandy, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 8median — 10% chance by Oct 26

Growing season229 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 9 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Gilmer 4 Wnw, TX, elevation 390 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 Big Sandy

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 13 – Sep 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 25 – Nov 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 26) and first fall frost (Nov 8) 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 75755 came on Feb 8 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

average
Feb 42026
Feb 8

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 8b in Texas

620 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Big Sandy, TX.

Soil in Big Sandy, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 75755 is Bowie — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bowie fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 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 75755; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Big Sandy, TX

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low33 °Faverage low, January

Hot days88days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights54nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,554base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 18 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 00 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation49.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Gilmer 4 Wnw, TX (7 mi away); precipitation: Big Sandy 3.9 E, TX (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Big Sandy

Texas planting zones →

Questions about Big Sandy

What planting zone is Big Sandy, TX?

Big Sandy, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map (8b: 15 to 20 °F).

When is the last frost in Big Sandy, TX?

The median last spring frost is March 26 and the median first fall frost is November 8 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gilmer 4 Wnw station).

When can I plant a garden in Big Sandy, TX?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 12 – Mar 5; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 2, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Big Sandy, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 18 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Big Sandy, TX get?

About 49.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).