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

Planting zone for 76443 — Cross Plains, TX

ZIP code 76443 (Cross Plains, Callahan County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 76443 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 26

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 Cross Plains, 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 Cross Plains, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 29

Growing season230 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Rising Star 1s, TX — 14 miles away, elevation 1,634 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 76443

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

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 26) 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 76443 came on Feb 8 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7).

average
Feb 72026
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 Cross Plains, TX.

Soil in Cross Plains, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 76443 is Pedernales — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.3neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.8%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pedernales fine sandy 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 76443; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cross Plains, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, August

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days92days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights57nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,748base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 15 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 03 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation29.8 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: Rising Star 1s, TX (14 mi away); precipitation: Burkett, TX (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

768288a

Burkett, TX · 9 mi

764718a

Rising Star, TX · 13 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 76443

What planting zone is ZIP code 76443?

ZIP code 76443 (Cross Plains, 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 Cross Plains, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 76443 is March 26; after April 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rising Star 1s station.

When is the first frost in Cross Plains, TX?

The median first fall frost near 76443 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 230 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 76443?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 29 – Feb 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 2 – Apr 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 76443 get?

About 29.8 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burkett station).

How hot do summers get in Cross Plains, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in August, with about 92 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 76443 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pedernales at the center of ZIP 76443: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.3 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Cross Plains, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 76443 came on Feb 8 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cross Plains, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 76443 is 14 h 15 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.