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

Planting zone for 76203 — Denton, TX

ZIP code 76203 (Denton, Denton 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 7.

Where ZIP 76203 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 24
First frostNov 7
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 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 17only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 22
Growing season227 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 9 and returns around November 20.

From the NOAA station Denton Municipal Airport, TX — 2 miles away, elevation 643 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 76203

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 12 – Sep 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 24) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 76203 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 76203 is Silstid — loamy fine sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Silstid-Urban land complex, 1 to 5 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 76203; 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 low32 °Faverage low, January
Hot days104days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights52nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,021base 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
Precipitation35.6 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 32 °F 56°32° JanFebruary: average high 60 °F, low 36 °F 60°36° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 69 °F 91°69° JunJuly: average high 96 °F, low 73 °F 96°73° JulAugust: average high 96 °F, low 73 °F 96°73° AugSeptember: average high 88 °F, low 64 °F 88°64° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 34 °F 57°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.94 in precipitation 1.9 JanFebruary: 2.48 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 3.11 in precipitation 3.1 MarApril: 3.43 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 JunJuly: 1.77 in precipitation 1.8 JulAugust: 2.39 in precipitation 2.4 AugSeptember: 2.65 in precipitation 2.6 SepOctober: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 OctNovember: 2.71 in precipitation 2.7 NovDecember: 2.76 in precipitation 2.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Denton Municipal Airport, TX (2 mi away); precipitation: Denton Municipal Airport, TX (2 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.

762018a
Denton, TX · <1 mi
762078a
Denton, TX · 2 mi
762058b
Denton, TX · 2 mi
750278b
Flower Mound, TX · 2 mi
762048b
Denton, TX · 2 mi
762028b
Denton, TX · 3 mi
762098b
Denton, TX · 3 mi
762068b
Denton, TX · 3 mi

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

Questions about 76203

What planting zone is ZIP code 76203?

ZIP code 76203 (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 76203 is March 24; after April 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Denton Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Denton, TX?

The median first fall frost near 76203 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 227 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 76203?

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 76203 get?

About 35.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Denton Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Denton, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 104 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 76203 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Silstid at the center of ZIP 76203: loamy fine sand, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Denton, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 76203 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 76203 is 14 h 21 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.