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

Planting zone for 76431 — Chico, TX

ZIP code 76431 (Chico, Wise County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 76431 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 29

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 Chico, 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 Chico, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 25

Growing season222 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 15 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Bridgeport, TX — 9 miles away, elevation 768 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 76431

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

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 29) 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 76431 came on Feb 8 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9).

average
Feb 92026
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 Chico, TX.

Soil in Chico, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 76431 is Darnell — extremely stony fine sandy loam, well drained.

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

pH6.2slightly 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: Darnell-Exray complex, very stony, 5 to 20 percent slop es.

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 76431; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chico, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days101days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights61nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,914base 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

Precipitation33.8 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: Bridgeport, TX (9 mi away); precipitation: Lake Bridgeport Dam, TX (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

764268a

Bridgeport, TX · 10 mi

Jacksboro, TX · 20 mi

762348a

Decatur, TX · 21 mi

762398a

Forestburg, TX · 22 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 76431

What planting zone is ZIP code 76431?

ZIP code 76431 (Chico, 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 Chico, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 76431 is March 29; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bridgeport station.

When is the first frost in Chico, TX?

The median first fall frost near 76431 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 222 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 76431?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 1 – Feb 15 and set transplants outside around Apr 5 – Apr 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 76431 get?

About 33.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake Bridgeport Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Chico, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 101 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 76431 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Darnell at the center of ZIP 76431: extremely stony fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Chico, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 76431 came on Feb 8 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chico, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 76431 is 14 h 21 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.