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

Planting zone for 76539 — Kempner, TX

ZIP code 76539 (Kempner, Lampasas County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 76539 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostMar 22
First frostNov 12
2012 zone8a

Was 8a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Kempner, 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 Kempner, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 10only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Oct 29
Growing season238 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 6 and returns around November 26.

From the NOAA station Lampasas, TX — 11 miles away, elevation 1,034 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 76539

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Mar 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 17 – Oct 1
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 29 – Dec 3
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 22) and first fall frost (Nov 12) 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 76539 came on Jan 30 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

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 8b in Texas

620 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 137

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 204

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 century plant6 ft · blooms indeterminate · high shade tolerance · to 12 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 188

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 Kempner, TX.

Soil in Kempner, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 76539 is Lampasas — gravelly clay, well drained.

TextureGravelly clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.4slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lampasas gravelly clay, 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 76539; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kempner, TX

Summer high97 °Faverage high, August
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days106days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights55nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,370base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 10 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 08 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation33 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 60 °F, low 34 °F 60°34° JanFebruary: average high 64 °F, low 38 °F 64°38° FebMarch: average high 71 °F, low 44 °F 71°44° MarApril: average high 78 °F, low 52 °F 78°52° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 62 °F 85°62° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 69 °F 92°69° JunJuly: average high 96 °F, low 72 °F 96°72° JulAugust: average high 97 °F, low 72 °F 97°72° AugSeptember: average high 90 °F, low 65 °F 90°65° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 54 °F 81°54° OctNovember: average high 70 °F, low 43 °F 70°43° NovDecember: average high 61 °F, low 35 °F 61°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.98 in precipitation 2.0 JanFebruary: 2.36 in precipitation 2.4 FebMarch: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 MarApril: 2.67 in precipitation 2.7 AprMay: 4.56 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 JunJuly: 1.38 in precipitation 1.4 JulAugust: 1.77 in precipitation 1.8 AugSeptember: 3.02 in precipitation 3.0 SepOctober: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 2.45 in precipitation 2.5 NovDecember: 2.40 in precipitation 2.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lampasas, TX (11 mi away); precipitation: Copperas Cove 5 Nw, TX (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

765228b
Copperas Cove, TX · 9 mi
765498b
Killeen, TX · 11 mi
786088b
Briggs, TX · 12 mi
765418b
Killeen, TX · 16 mi
765408b
Killeen, TX · 16 mi
765478b
Killeen, TX · 16 mi
765428b
Killeen, TX · 19 mi
765438b
Killeen, TX · 21 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 76539

What planting zone is ZIP code 76539?

ZIP code 76539 (Kempner, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Kempner, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 76539 is March 22; after April 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lampasas station.

When is the first frost in Kempner, TX?

The median first fall frost near 76539 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 238 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 76539?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 25 – Feb 8 and set transplants outside around Mar 29 – Apr 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 76539 get?

About 33 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Copperas Cove 5 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Kempner, TX?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in August, with about 106 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 76539 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lampasas at the center of ZIP 76539: gravelly clay, well drained, pH about 7.4 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Kempner, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 76539 came on Jan 30 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Kempner, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 76539 is 14 h 10 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 76539 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 76539 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.