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

Planting zone for 75831 — Buffalo, TX

ZIP code 75831 (Buffalo, Leon County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 75831 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 20

First frostNov 12

2012 zone8b

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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Oct 30

Growing season239 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 6 and returns around November 26.

From the NOAA station Centerville, TX — 15 miles away, elevation 322 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 75831

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 17 – Oct 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 29 – Dec 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 20) and first fall frost (Nov 12) 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 75831 came on Feb 3 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

average
Jan 312026
Feb 3

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 Buffalo, TX.

Soil in Buffalo, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 75831 is Wolfpen — loamy fine sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wolfpen loamy fine sand, 1 to 8 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 75831; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Buffalo, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, August

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days100days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights46nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,250base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 06 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation42.6 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: Centerville, TX (15 mi away); precipitation: Oakwood, TX (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Centerville, TX · 17 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 75831

What planting zone is ZIP code 75831?

ZIP code 75831 (Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 75831 is March 20; after April 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Centerville station.

When is the first frost in Buffalo, TX?

The median first fall frost near 75831 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 239 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 75831?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 23 – Feb 6 and set transplants outside around Mar 27 – Apr 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 75831 get?

About 42.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Oakwood station).

How hot do summers get in Buffalo, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in August, with about 100 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 75831 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wolfpen at the center of ZIP 75831: loamy fine sand, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Buffalo, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 75831 came on Feb 3 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Buffalo, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 75831 is 14 h 12 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.