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

Planting zone for Desoto, TX

Desoto, TX is in USDA zone 8b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost November 25.

Desoto 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 6

First frostNov 25

Growing season265 days

8b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Desoto, 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 Desoto, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 25median — 10% chance by Nov 6

Growing season265 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 22 and returns around December 9.

From the NOAA station Dallas Redbird Airport, TX, elevation 659 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 Desoto

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 30 – Oct 14

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 11 – Dec 16

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 6) and first fall frost (Nov 25) 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 75115 came on Feb 7 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

average
Feb 42026
Feb 7

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 Desoto, TX.

Soil in Desoto, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 75115 is Austin — silty clay, well drained.

TextureSilty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Austin-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 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 75115; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Desoto, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days104days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights27nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,686base 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

Precipitation41 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: Dallas Redbird Airport, TX (6 mi away); precipitation: Desoto 2.2 Ene, TX (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Desoto

Texas planting zones →

Questions about Desoto

What planting zone is Desoto, TX?

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

When is the last frost in Desoto, TX?

The median last spring frost is March 6 and the median first fall frost is November 25 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dallas Redbird Airport station).

When can I plant a garden in Desoto, TX?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 23 – Feb 13; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 13, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Desoto, 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 Desoto, TX get?

About 41 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).