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

Planting zone for 75858 — Ratcliff, TX

ZIP code 75858 (Ratcliff, Houston County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost November 26.

Where ZIP 75858 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostMar 2

First frostNov 26

2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ratcliff, 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 Ratcliff, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 26median — 10% chance by Nov 4

Growing season267 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 6 and returns around December 12.

From the NOAA station Groveton, TX — 13 miles away, elevation 351 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 75858

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 1 – Oct 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 12 – Dec 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 2) and first fall frost (Nov 26) 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 75858 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 9a in Texas

640 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. 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 Ratcliff, TX.

Soil in Ratcliff, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 75858 is Kurth — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kurth fine sandy loam, 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 75858; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ratcliff, TX

Summer high97 °Faverage high, August

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days115days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights26nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,936base 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

Precipitation50 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: Groveton, TX (13 mi away); precipitation: Lufkin 11 Nw, TX (15 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

7 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

758478b

Kennard, TX · 3 mi

758348b

Centralia, TX · 10 mi

759268b

Apple Springs, TX · 14 mi

758569a

Pennington, TX · 14 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 75858

What planting zone is ZIP code 75858?

ZIP code 75858 (Ratcliff, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Ratcliff, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 75858 is March 2; after March 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Groveton station.

When is the first frost in Ratcliff, TX?

The median first fall frost near 75858 is November 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 267 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 75858?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 5 – Jan 19 and set transplants outside around Mar 9 – Mar 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 75858 get?

About 50 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lufkin 11 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Ratcliff, TX?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in August, with about 115 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 75858 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kurth at the center of ZIP 75858: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Ratcliff, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 75858 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 Ratcliff, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 75858 is 14 h 12 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 75858 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 75858 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.