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

Planting zone for 76068 — Mineral Wells, TX

ZIP code 76068 (Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 76068 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostMar 24

First frostNov 10

2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Mineral Wells, 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 Mineral Wells, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 27

Growing season231 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 9 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Mineral Wells Airport, TX — 4 miles away, elevation 932 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 76068

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

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 24) 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 76068 came on Feb 8 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

average
Feb 52026
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 8a in Texas

601 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Mineral Wells, TX.

Soil in Mineral Wells, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 76068 is Thurber — clay loam, moderately well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.15%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Thurber clay 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 76068; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mineral Wells, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July

Winter low33 °Faverage low, January

Hot days111days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights48nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,163base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 19 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 59 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation31.8 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: Mineral Wells Airport, TX (4 mi away); precipitation: Mineral Wells Airport, TX (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

760678a

Mineral Wells, TX · 2 mi

Palo Pinto, TX · 12 mi

760888a

Weatherford, TX · 13 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Mineral Wells → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 76068

What planting zone is ZIP code 76068?

ZIP code 76068 (Mineral Wells, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Mineral Wells, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 76068 is March 24; after April 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mineral Wells Airport station.

When is the first frost in Mineral Wells, TX?

The median first fall frost near 76068 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 231 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 76068?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 27 – Feb 10 and set transplants outside around Mar 31 – Apr 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 76068 get?

About 31.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mineral Wells Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Mineral Wells, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 111 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 76068 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Thurber at the center of ZIP 76068: clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Mineral Wells, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 76068 came on Feb 8 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mineral Wells, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 76068 is 14 h 19 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.