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

Planting zone for 76689 — Valley Mills, TX

ZIP code 76689 (Valley Mills, Bosque County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost November 14.

Where ZIP 76689 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 15

First frostNov 14

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 Valley Mills, 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 Valley Mills, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 14median — 10% chance by Oct 31

Growing season243 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 2 and returns around November 28.

From the NOAA station Whitney Dam, TX — 16 miles away, elevation 574 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 76689

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 22

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 19 – Oct 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 31 – Dec 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 15) and first fall frost (Nov 14) 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 76689 came on Feb 7 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2).

average
Feb 22026
Feb 7

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.

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 Valley Mills, TX.

Soil in Valley Mills, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 76689 is Eckrant — very cobbly silty clay, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly silty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter6.5%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Eckrant very cobbly silty clay, 1 to 5 percent slopes, very stony.

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 76689; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Valley Mills, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, August

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days115days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights43nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,231base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 13 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 05 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation36.6 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: Whitney Dam, TX (16 mi away); precipitation: Crawford, TX (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

China Spring, TX · 11 mi

766448b

Laguna Park, TX · 16 mi

765618b

Oglesby, TX · 16 mi

766378b

Cranfills Gap, TX · 17 mi

766578b

Mc Gregor, TX · 17 mi

765978b

Gatesville, TX · 17 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 76689

What planting zone is ZIP code 76689?

ZIP code 76689 (Valley Mills, 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 Valley Mills, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 76689 is March 15; after April 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Whitney Dam station.

When is the first frost in Valley Mills, TX?

The median first fall frost near 76689 is November 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 243 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 76689?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 18 – Feb 1 and set transplants outside around Mar 22 – Apr 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 76689 get?

About 36.6 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Crawford station).

How hot do summers get in Valley Mills, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in August, with about 115 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 76689 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eckrant at the center of ZIP 76689: very cobbly silty clay, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Valley Mills, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 76689 came on Feb 7 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Valley Mills, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 76689 is 14 h 13 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.