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

Planting zone for Santa Fe, TX

Santa Fe, TX is in USDA zone 9b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is January 31 and the first fall frost December 14.

Santa Fe on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostJan 31

First frostDec 14

Growing season317 days

9b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Santa Fe, 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 Santa Fe, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJanuary 31median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 5only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 14median — 10% chance by Nov 19

Growing season317 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 17 and returns around January 3.

From the NOAA station Houston Nwso, TX, elevation 20 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 Santa Fe

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 20 – Jan 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 22 – Dec 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 6 – Dec 20

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 22 – Dec 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 19 – Nov 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 30 – Jan 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 31) and first fall frost (Dec 14) 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 77517 came on Jan 11 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23).

average
Jan 232026
Jan 11

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 9b in Texas

646 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9b. 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 Santa Fe, TX.

Soil in Santa Fe, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77517 is Lake Charles — clay, moderately well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.1neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lake Charles clay, 0 to 1 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 77517; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Santa Fe, TX

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days78days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights10nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,224base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 02 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 16 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation55.1 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: Alvin, TX (6 mi away); precipitation: Alvin, TX (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Santa Fe

Texas planting zones →

Questions about Santa Fe

What planting zone is Santa Fe, TX?

Santa Fe, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map (9b: 25 to 30 °F).

When is the last frost in Santa Fe, TX?

The median last spring frost is January 31 and the median first fall frost is December 14 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Houston Nwso station).

When can I plant a garden in Santa Fe, TX?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Dec 20 – Jan 10; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Feb 7, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Santa Fe, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 02 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Santa Fe, TX get?

About 55.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).