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

Planting zone for 75903 — Lufkin, TX

ZIP code 75903 (Lufkin, Angelina County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 75903 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 19

First frostNov 10

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 Lufkin, 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 Lufkin, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 28

Growing season239 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 3 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station Lufkin 11 Nw, TX — 9 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 75903

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 15 – Sep 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 19) and first fall frost (Nov 10) 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 75903 came on Feb 4 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30).

average
Jan 302026
Feb 4

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 Lufkin, TX.

Soil in Lufkin, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 75903 is Sacul — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

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

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sacul fine sandy loam, 5 to 15 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 75903; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lufkin, TX

Summer high93 °Faverage high, August

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days83days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights52nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,918base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 11 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

Precipitation50.9 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: Lufkin 11 Nw, TX (9 mi away); precipitation: Lufkin #2, TX (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Apple Springs, TX · 15 mi

759768b

Wells, TX · 16 mi

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

Questions about 75903

What planting zone is ZIP code 75903?

ZIP code 75903 (Lufkin, 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 Lufkin, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 75903 is March 19; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lufkin 11 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Lufkin, TX?

The median first fall frost near 75903 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 239 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 75903?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 22 – Feb 5 and set transplants outside around Mar 26 – Apr 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 75903 get?

About 50.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lufkin #2 station).

How hot do summers get in Lufkin, TX?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in August, with about 83 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 75903 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sacul at the center of ZIP 75903: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lufkin, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 75903 came on Feb 4 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lufkin, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 75903 is 14 h 11 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.