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

Planting zone for 75797 — Big Sandy, TX

ZIP code 75797 (Big Sandy, Upshur County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost November 8.

Where ZIP 75797 is

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 26

First frostNov 8

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 Big Sandy, 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 Big Sandy, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 8median — 10% chance by Oct 26

Growing season229 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 9 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Gilmer 4 Wnw, TX — 12 miles away, elevation 390 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 75797

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

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 26) 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 75797 came on Feb 8 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

average
Feb 42026
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 Big Sandy, TX.

Soil in Big Sandy, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 75797 is Wrightsville — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Wrightsville-Raino complex, 0 to 1 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 75797; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Big Sandy, TX

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low33 °Faverage low, January

Hot days88days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights54nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,554base 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 growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation45.6 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: Gilmer 4 Wnw, TX (12 mi away); precipitation: Hawkins, TX (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Gladewater, TX · 11 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Big Sandy → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 75797

What planting zone is ZIP code 75797?

ZIP code 75797 (Big Sandy, 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 Big Sandy, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 75797 is March 26; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gilmer 4 Wnw station.

When is the first frost in Big Sandy, TX?

The median first fall frost near 75797 is November 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 229 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 75797?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 29 – Feb 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 2 – Apr 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 75797 get?

About 45.6 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hawkins station).

How hot do summers get in Big Sandy, TX?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 88 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 75797 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wrightsville at the center of ZIP 75797: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Big Sandy, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 75797 came on Feb 8 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Big Sandy, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 75797 is 14 h 18 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 75797 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 75797 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.