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

Planting zone for 74872 — Stratford, OK

ZIP code 74872 (Stratford, Garvin County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost November 8.

Where ZIP 74872 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 frostMar 25

First frostNov 8

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 Stratford, 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 Stratford, OK

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 8median — 10% chance by Oct 23

Growing season228 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 10 and returns around November 18.

From the NOAA station Byars 3ese Mesonet, OK — 6 miles away, elevation 1,132 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 74872

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 13 – Sep 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 25 – Nov 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 25) and first fall frost (Nov 8) 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 74872 came on Feb 11 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19).

average
Feb 192026
Feb 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 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 Stratford, OK.

Soil in Stratford, OK

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 74872 is Clarita — clay, moderately well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.3neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Clarita clay, 5 to 12 percent slopes, moderately 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 74872; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stratford, OK

Summer high93 °Faverage high, August

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days71days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights62nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,327base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 49 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation41 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: Byars 3ese Mesonet, OK (6 mi away); precipitation: Byars 3ese Mesonet, OK (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

748317b

Byars, OK · 9 mi

730757b

Pauls Valley, OK · 14 mi

730987b

Wynnewood, OK · 14 mi

Oklahoma planting zones →

Questions about 74872

What planting zone is ZIP code 74872?

ZIP code 74872 (Stratford, 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 Stratford, OK?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 74872 is March 25; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Byars 3ese Mesonet station.

When is the first frost in Stratford, OK?

The median first fall frost near 74872 is November 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 228 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 74872?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 28 – Feb 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 1 – Apr 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 74872 get?

About 41 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Byars 3ese Mesonet station).

How hot do summers get in Stratford, OK?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in August, with about 71 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 74872 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Clarita at the center of ZIP 74872: clay, moderately well drained, pH about 7.3 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Stratford, OK in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 74872 came on Feb 11 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Stratford, OK?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 74872 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 74872 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 74872 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.