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

Planting zone for 76884 — Valera, TX

ZIP code 76884 (Valera, Coleman County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 76884 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 29
First frostNov 7
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 Valera, 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 Valera, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 29median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 17only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 26
Growing season227 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 12 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Hords Creek Dam, TX — 11 miles away, elevation 1,949 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 76884

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 12 – Sep 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 29) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 76884 came on Feb 7 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

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 Valera, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 76884 is Valera — clay, well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Valera clay, 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 76884; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Valera, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July
Winter low32 °Faverage low, January
Hot days99days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights64nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,930base 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
Precipitation27.2 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 59 °F, low 32 °F 59°32° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 35 °F 63°35° FebMarch: average high 70 °F, low 43 °F 70°43° MarApril: average high 79 °F, low 50 °F 79°50° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 60 °F 85°60° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 67 °F 92°67° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 70 °F 95°70° JulAugust: average high 95 °F, low 70 °F 95°70° AugSeptember: average high 88 °F, low 63 °F 88°63° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 52 °F 80°52° OctNovember: average high 68 °F, low 41 °F 68°41° NovDecember: average high 60 °F, low 33 °F 60°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 1.20 in precipitation 1.2 JanFebruary: 1.73 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.7 FebMarch: 2.02 in precipitation 2.0 MarApril: 1.95 in precipitation 1.9 AprMay: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 MayJune: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 JunJuly: 1.92 in precipitation 1.9 JulAugust: 2.30 in precipitation 2.3 AugSeptember: 2.79 in precipitation 2.8 SepOctober: 2.77 in precipitation 2.8 OctNovember: 1.94 in precipitation 1.9 NovDecember: 1.33 in precipitation 1.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hords Creek Dam, TX (11 mi away); precipitation: Hords Creek Dam, TX (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

768888b
Voss, TX · 7 mi
768828a
Talpa, TX · 11 mi
768458b
Gouldbusk, TX · 12 mi
768348a
Coleman, TX · 14 mi
768788b
Santa Anna, TX · 16 mi
768738b
Rockwood, TX · 17 mi
768368b
Doole, TX · 19 mi
768628b
Millersview, TX · 21 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 76884

What planting zone is ZIP code 76884?

ZIP code 76884 (Valera, 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 Valera, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 76884 is March 29; after April 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hords Creek Dam station.

When is the first frost in Valera, TX?

The median first fall frost near 76884 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 227 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 76884?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 1 – Feb 15 and set transplants outside around Apr 5 – Apr 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 76884 get?

About 27.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hords Creek Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Valera, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 99 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 76884 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Valera at the center of ZIP 76884: clay, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Valera, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 76884 came on Feb 7 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Valera, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 76884 is 14 h 13 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.