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

Planting zone for 76936 — Eldorado, TX

ZIP code 76936 (Eldorado, Schleicher County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 76936 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 22

First frostNov 10

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 Eldorado, 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 Eldorado, 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 10median — 10% chance by Oct 28

Growing season234 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Eldorado, TX — 4 miles away, elevation 2,441 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 76936

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 15 – Sep 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 22) and first fall frost (Nov 10) 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 76936 came on Feb 6 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

average
Feb 52026
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).

Native plants for zone 8a in Texas

601 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Eldorado, TX.

Soil in Eldorado, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 76936 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 classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Valera-Mereta-Kavett association, nearly level.

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 76936; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Eldorado, TX

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days88days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights56nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,693base 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

Precipitation21.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Eldorado, TX (4 mi away); precipitation: Eldorado, TX (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

769358a

Christoval, TX · 18 mi

769398a

Knickerbocker, TX · 26 mi

769418a

Mertzon, TX · 27 mi

769048a

San Angelo, TX · 31 mi

768418a

Fort Mc Kavett, TX · 31 mi

San Angelo, TX · 40 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 76936

What planting zone is ZIP code 76936?

ZIP code 76936 (Eldorado, 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 Eldorado, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 76936 is March 22; after April 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eldorado station.

When is the first frost in Eldorado, TX?

The median first fall frost near 76936 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 234 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 76936?

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 76936 get?

About 21.9 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eldorado station).

How hot do summers get in Eldorado, TX?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 88 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 76936 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Valera at the center of ZIP 76936: clay, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Eldorado, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 76936 came on Feb 6 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Eldorado, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 76936 is 14 h 09 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.