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

Planting zone for Vernon, TX

Vernon, TX is in USDA zone 8a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost November 9.

Vernon 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 27

First frostNov 9

Growing season225 days

8a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Vernon, 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 Vernon, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 24

Growing season225 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 9 and returns around November 18.

From the NOAA station Vernon, TX, elevation 1,211 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 Vernon

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Mar 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 27) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 76385 came on Feb 9 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14).

average
Feb 142026
Feb 9

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 Vernon, TX.

Soil in Vernon, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 76385 is Enterprise — very fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Enterprise very fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 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 76385; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Vernon, TX

Summer high97 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days102days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights71nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,840base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 26 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation28.4 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: Vernon, TX (3 mi away); precipitation: Vernon, TX (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Vernon

Texas planting zones →

Questions about Vernon

What planting zone is Vernon, TX?

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

When is the last frost in Vernon, TX?

The median last spring frost is March 27 and the median first fall frost is November 9 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vernon station).

When can I plant a garden in Vernon, TX?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 13 – Mar 6; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 3, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Vernon, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Vernon, TX get?

About 28.4 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).