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

Planting zone for 76201 — Denton, TX

ZIP code 76201 (Denton, Denton County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost November 20.

Where ZIP 76201 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostMar 13
First frostNov 20
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 Denton, 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 Denton, 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 plantsMarch 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 20median — 10% chance by Nov 3
Growing season251 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 1 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Denton 2 Se, TX — 3 miles away, elevation 630 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 76201

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 25 – Oct 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 6 – Dec 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 13) and first fall frost (Nov 20) 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 76201 came on Feb 8 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (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.

Trees 70

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °FArizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona walnut50 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 133

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °FAmerican snowbell10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −16 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 200

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Grasses 177

alkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °FArizona cottontop4 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °FArizona fescue2 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona threeawn2 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −3 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °F

Vines 14

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Denton, TX.

Soil in Denton, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 76201 is Wilson — clay loam, moderately well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wilson-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 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 76201; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Denton, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days95days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights38nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,280base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 21 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 57 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation38.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° JanFebruary: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° MarApril: average high 76 °F, low 53 °F 76°53° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 63 °F 83°63° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° JunJuly: average high 96 °F, low 75 °F 96°75° JulAugust: average high 96 °F, low 74 °F 96°74° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 67 °F 89°67° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 44 °F 66°44° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.20 in precipitation 2.2 JanFebruary: 2.83 in precipitation 2.8 FebMarch: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 MarApril: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 4.86 in precipitation 4.9 MayJune: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 JunJuly: 2.29 in precipitation 2.3 JulAugust: 2.44 in precipitation 2.4 AugSeptember: 2.96 in precipitation 3.0 SepOctober: 4.64 in precipitation 4.6 OctNovember: 2.94 in precipitation 2.9 NovDecember: 2.67 in precipitation 2.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Denton 2 Se, TX (3 mi away); precipitation: Denton 2 Se, TX (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

762038a
Denton, TX · <1 mi
762078a
Denton, TX · 2 mi
750278b
Flower Mound, TX · 2 mi
762048b
Denton, TX · 2 mi
762058b
Denton, TX · 2 mi
762028b
Denton, TX · 2 mi
762098b
Denton, TX · 2 mi
762068b
Denton, TX · 4 mi

All 10 ZIP codes in Denton → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 76201

What planting zone is ZIP code 76201?

ZIP code 76201 (Denton, 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 Denton, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 76201 is March 13; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Denton 2 Se station.

When is the first frost in Denton, TX?

The median first fall frost near 76201 is November 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 251 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 76201?

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 76201 get?

About 38.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Denton 2 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Denton, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 95 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 76201 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wilson at the center of ZIP 76201: clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Denton, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 76201 came on Feb 8 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Denton, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 76201 is 14 h 21 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.