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

Planting zone for 74438 — Hitchita, OK

ZIP code 74438 (Hitchita, McIntosh County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 74438 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 8

First frostOct 28

2012 zone7a

Was 7a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hitchita, 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 Hitchita, OK

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 12

Growing season203 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Okmulgee Wtr Wks, OK — 17 miles away, elevation 646 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 74438

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 74438 came on Feb 12 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 22).

average
Feb 222026
Feb 12

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 7b in Oklahoma

518 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 7b. 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 Hitchita, OK.

Soil in Hitchita, OK

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 74438 is Dennis — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dennis silt loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes, eroded.

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 74438; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hitchita, OK

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days67days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights87nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,917base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 34 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation47.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Okmulgee Wtr Wks, OK (17 mi away); precipitation: Dewar 2 Ne, OK (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

744287b

Council Hill, OK · 7 mi

Henryetta, OK · 11 mi

744607b

Schulter, OK · 11 mi

744687b

Wainwright, OK · 12 mi

Oklahoma planting zones →

Questions about 74438

What planting zone is ZIP code 74438?

ZIP code 74438 (Hitchita, OK) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Hitchita, OK?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 74438 is April 8; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Okmulgee Wtr Wks station.

When is the first frost in Hitchita, OK?

The median first fall frost near 74438 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 203 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 74438?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 74438 get?

About 47.3 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dewar 2 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Hitchita, OK?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 67 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 74438 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dennis at the center of ZIP 74438: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Hitchita, OK in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 74438 came on Feb 12 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hitchita, OK?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 74438 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 74438 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 74438 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.