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

Planting zone for 75973 — Shelbyville, TX

ZIP code 75973 (Shelbyville, Shelby County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost November 15.

Where ZIP 75973 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 13

First frostNov 15

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 Shelbyville, 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 Shelbyville, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 13median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 15median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season248 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 28 and returns around November 28.

From the NOAA station Center, TX — 15 miles away, elevation 325 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 75973

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 20 – Oct 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 1 – Dec 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 13) and first fall frost (Nov 15) 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 75973 came on Feb 8 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

average
Feb 12026
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 Shelbyville, TX.

Soil in Shelbyville, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 75973 is Eastwood — very fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Eastwood very fine sandy loam, 5 to 20 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 75973; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Shelbyville, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, August

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days97days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights42nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,229base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 13 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 05 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation56.5 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: Center, TX (15 mi away); precipitation: Center, TX (15 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

San Augustine, TX · 18 mi

759748b

Tenaha, TX · 24 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 75973

What planting zone is ZIP code 75973?

ZIP code 75973 (Shelbyville, 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 Shelbyville, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 75973 is March 13; after April 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Center station.

When is the first frost in Shelbyville, TX?

The median first fall frost near 75973 is November 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 248 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 75973?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 16 – Jan 30 and set transplants outside around Mar 20 – Apr 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 75973 get?

About 56.5 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Center station).

How hot do summers get in Shelbyville, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in August, with about 97 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 75973 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eastwood at the center of ZIP 75973: very fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Shelbyville, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 75973 came on Feb 8 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Shelbyville, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 75973 is 14 h 13 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.