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

Planting zone for 76556 — Milano, TX

ZIP code 76556 (Milano, Milam County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost November 23.

Where ZIP 76556 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F
Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C
Last frostMar 6
First frostNov 23
2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Milano, 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 Milano, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 23median — 10% chance by Nov 3
Growing season261 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 23 and returns around December 6.

From the NOAA station Cameron, TX — 12 miles away, elevation 364 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 76556

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 28 – Oct 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 9 – Dec 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 6) and first fall frost (Nov 23) 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 76556 came on Jan 30 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28).

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).

Soil in Milano, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 76556 is Minerva — 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 groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Minerva loamy fine sand, 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 76556; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Milano, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, August
Winter low39 °Faverage low, January
Hot days88days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights28nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,901base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 08 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 09 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation39.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 61 °F, low 39 °F 61°39° JanFebruary: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° FebMarch: average high 72 °F, low 50 °F 72°50° MarApril: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 72 °F 91°72° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 73 °F 94°73° JulAugust: average high 95 °F, low 73 °F 95°73° AugSeptember: average high 90 °F, low 68 °F 90°68° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 57 °F 81°57° OctNovember: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° NovDecember: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 JanFebruary: 2.52 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 MarApril: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 4.63 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 1.94 in precipitation 1.9 JulAugust: 1.87 in precipitation 1.9 AugSeptember: 3.17 in precipitation 3.2 SepOctober: 4.24 in precipitation 4.2 OctNovember: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 NovDecember: 3.62 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cameron, TX (12 mi away); precipitation: Gause 2.8 Nnw, TX (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

778389a
Chriesman, TX · 8 mi
778579a
Gause, TX · 8 mi
765679a
Rockdale, TX · 12 mi
765209a
Cameron, TX · 13 mi
778369a
Caldwell, TX · 15 mi
778679a
Mumford, TX · 17 mi
778529a
Deanville, TX · 19 mi
765189a
Buckholts, TX · 20 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 76556

What planting zone is ZIP code 76556?

ZIP code 76556 (Milano, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Milano, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 76556 is March 6; after March 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cameron station.

When is the first frost in Milano, TX?

The median first fall frost near 76556 is November 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 261 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 76556?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 9 – Jan 23 and set transplants outside around Mar 13 – Mar 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 76556 get?

About 39.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gause 2.8 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Milano, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in August, with about 88 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 76556 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Minerva at the center of ZIP 76556: loamy fine sand, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Milano, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 76556 came on Jan 30 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Milano, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 76556 is 14 h 08 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 76556 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 76556 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.