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

Planting zone for Brownwood, TX

Brownwood, TX is in USDA zone 8a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost November 10.

Brownwood 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostMar 22

First frostNov 10

Growing season233 days

8a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Brownwood, 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 Brownwood, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 28

Growing season233 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 7 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Brownwood 2ene, TX, elevation 1,394 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 Brownwood

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 15 – Sep 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 22) and first fall frost (Nov 10) 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 76804 came on Feb 8 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

average
Feb 52026
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 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 Brownwood, TX.

Soil in Brownwood, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 76804 is Callahan — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH8.0alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Callahan loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded.

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 76804; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Brownwood, TX

Summer high97 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days116days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights55nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,304base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 13 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 04 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation30.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 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: Brownwood 2ene, TX (9 mi away); precipitation: Brownwood 2ene, TX (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Brownwood

Texas planting zones →

Questions about Brownwood

What planting zone is Brownwood, TX?

Brownwood, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map (8a: 10 to 15 °F).

When is the last frost in Brownwood, TX?

The median last spring frost is March 22 and the median first fall frost is November 10 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brownwood 2ene station).

When can I plant a garden in Brownwood, TX?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 8 – Mar 1; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 29, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Brownwood, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 13 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Brownwood, TX get?

About 30.6 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).