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

Planting zone for 76571 — Salado, TX

ZIP code 76571 (Salado, Bell County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost November 20.

Where ZIP 76571 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 14
First frostNov 20
2012 zone8b

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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Salado, 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 Salado, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 4only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 20median — 10% chance by Oct 29
Growing season251 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 1 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Stillhouse Hollow Dam, TX — 7 miles away, elevation 705 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 76571

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 25 – Oct 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 6 – Dec 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 14) and first fall frost (Nov 20) 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 76571 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).

Soil in Salado, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 76571 is Speck — gravelly clay loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Speck association, 1 to 8 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 76571; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Salado, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, August
Winter low36 °Faverage low, January
Hot days118days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights33nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,498base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 09 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
Precipitation36.8 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 60 °F, low 36 °F 60°36° JanFebruary: average high 64 °F, low 39 °F 64°39° FebMarch: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° MarApril: average high 78 °F, low 54 °F 78°54° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 70 °F 91°70° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 72 °F 95°72° JulAugust: average high 96 °F, low 72 °F 96°72° AugSeptember: average high 90 °F, low 66 °F 90°66° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 56 °F 81°56° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° NovDecember: average high 61 °F, low 38 °F 61°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.61 in precipitation 2.6 JanFebruary: 2.17 in precipitation 2.2 FebMarch: 3.21 in precipitation 3.2 MarApril: 3.12 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 4.60 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 JunJuly: 2.09 in precipitation 2.1 JulAugust: 2.62 in precipitation 2.6 AugSeptember: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 OctNovember: 2.73 in precipitation 2.7 NovDecember: 2.79 in precipitation 2.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Stillhouse Hollow Dam, TX (7 mi away); precipitation: Salado 1.5 S, TX (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

765428b
Killeen, TX · 6 mi
765488b
Harker Heights, TX · 8 mi
765088b
Temple, TX · 9 mi
765378b
Jarrell, TX · 9 mi
765598b
Nolanville, TX · 9 mi
765339a
Heidenheimer, TX · 10 mi
765138b
Belton, TX · 10 mi
765738b
Schwertner, TX · 11 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 76571

What planting zone is ZIP code 76571?

ZIP code 76571 (Salado, 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 Salado, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 76571 is March 14; after April 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stillhouse Hollow Dam station.

When is the first frost in Salado, TX?

The median first fall frost near 76571 is November 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 251 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 76571?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 17 – Jan 31 and set transplants outside around Mar 21 – Apr 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 76571 get?

About 36.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salado 1.5 S station).

How hot do summers get in Salado, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in August, with about 118 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 76571 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Speck at the center of ZIP 76571: gravelly clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Salado, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 76571 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 Salado, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 76571 is 14 h 09 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.