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

Planting zone for 75181 — Mesquite, TX

ZIP code 75181 (Mesquite, Dallas County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost November 19.

Where ZIP 75181 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 12

First frostNov 19

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Mesquite, 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 Mesquite, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 12median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 19median — 10% chance by Nov 2

Growing season253 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 1 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Ferris, TX — 14 miles away, elevation 469 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 75181

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 24 – Oct 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 5 – Dec 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 12) and first fall frost (Nov 19) 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 75181 came on Feb 8 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

average
Feb 52026
Feb 8

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 8b in Texas

620 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Mesquite, TX.

Soil in Mesquite, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 75181 is Houston Black — clay, moderately well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Houston Black clay, 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 75181; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mesquite, TX

Summer high97 °Faverage high, August

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days106days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights40nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,414base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 18 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 00 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation41.5 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: Ferris, TX (14 mi away); precipitation: Mesquite 2.3 N, TX (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

751858b

Mesquite, TX · 1 mi

751808b

Balch Springs, TX · 4 mi

All 5 ZIP codes in Mesquite → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 75181

What planting zone is ZIP code 75181?

ZIP code 75181 (Mesquite, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Mesquite, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 75181 is March 12; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ferris station.

When is the first frost in Mesquite, TX?

The median first fall frost near 75181 is November 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 253 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 75181?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 15 – Jan 29 and set transplants outside around Mar 19 – Apr 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 75181 get?

About 41.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mesquite 2.3 N station).

How hot do summers get in Mesquite, TX?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in August, with about 106 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 75181 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Houston Black at the center of ZIP 75181: clay, moderately well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Mesquite, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 75181 came on Feb 8 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mesquite, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 75181 is 14 h 18 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 75181 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 75181 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.