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

Planting zone for Stafford, TX

Stafford, TX is in USDA zone 9b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is February 2 and the first fall frost December 11.

Stafford 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostFeb 2

First frostDec 11

Growing season318 days

9b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Stafford, 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 Stafford, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsMarch 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 11median — 10% chance by Nov 20

Growing season318 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 18 and returns around January 1.

From the NOAA station Houston Sugarland Mem, TX, elevation 82 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 Stafford

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 22 – Jan 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 24 – Dec 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 12 – Jan 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 8 – Dec 22

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 24 – Dec 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 16 – Mar 2

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 16 – Oct 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 27 – Jan 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 2) and first fall frost (Dec 11) 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 77477 came on Jan 11 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22).

average
Jan 222026
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 Stafford, TX.

Soil in Stafford, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77477 is Bernard — clay loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.7%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bernard clay loam, 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 77477; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stafford, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July

Winter low45 °Faverage low, January

Hot days112days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights10nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,845base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 03 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 14 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation54.2 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: Houston Sugarland Mem, TX (6 mi away); precipitation: Sugar Land .5 Se, TX (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Stafford

Texas planting zones →

Questions about Stafford

What planting zone is Stafford, TX?

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

When is the last frost in Stafford, TX?

The median last spring frost is February 2 and the median first fall frost is December 11 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Houston Sugarland Mem station).

When can I plant a garden in Stafford, TX?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Dec 22 – Jan 12; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Feb 9, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Stafford, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 03 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Stafford, TX get?

About 54.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).