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

Planting zone for 73944 — Hardesty, OK

ZIP code 73944 (Hardesty, Texas County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 73944 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostApr 16

First frostOct 25

2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hardesty, OK…

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 Hardesty, OK

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 13

Growing season192 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 5 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Hooker, OK — 20 miles away, elevation 3,002 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 73944

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 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 73944 came on Feb 17 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6).

average
Mar 62026
Feb 17

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 6b in Oklahoma

489 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oklahoma, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 Hardesty, OK.

Soil in Hardesty, OK

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 73944 is Conlen — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH8.5alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.4%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Conlen loam, 0 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 73944; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hardesty, OK

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days84days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights125nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,411base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 39 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation21.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall12 inper year; 12 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: Hooker, OK (20 mi away); precipitation: Perryton 11 Wnw, TX (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Farnsworth, TX · 20 mi

Oklahoma planting zones →

Questions about 73944

What planting zone is ZIP code 73944?

ZIP code 73944 (Hardesty, OK) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Hardesty, OK?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 73944 is April 16; after May 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hooker station.

When is the first frost in Hardesty, OK?

The median first fall frost near 73944 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 192 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 73944?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 73944 get?

About 21.1 inches of precipitation a year and 12 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Perryton 11 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Hardesty, OK?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 84 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 73944 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Conlen at the center of ZIP 73944: loam, well drained, pH about 8.5 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Hardesty, OK in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 73944 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hardesty, OK?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 73944 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.