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

Planting zone for 76951 — Sterling City, TX

ZIP code 76951 (Sterling City, Sterling County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 6.

Where ZIP 76951 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 31

First frostNov 6

2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Sterling City, 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 Sterling City, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 24

Growing season219 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 14 and returns around November 15.

From the NOAA station Sterling City, TX — 5 miles away, elevation 2,280 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 76951

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 11 – Sep 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 6) 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 76951 came on Feb 9 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8).

average
Feb 82026
Feb 9

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 Sterling City, TX.

Soil in Sterling City, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 76951 is Ector — extremely gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureExtremely gravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH8.0alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter7%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ector soils, moist, 3 to 30 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 76951; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sterling City, TX

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days105days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights72nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,718base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 14 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 04 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation20.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sterling City, TX (5 mi away); precipitation: Sterling City, TX (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

769588a

Water Valley, TX · 21 mi

769348a

Carlsbad, TX · 26 mi

769028a

San Angelo, TX · 26 mi

797398a

Garden City, TX · 27 mi

769458a

Robert Lee, TX · 27 mi

797338a

Forsan, TX · 28 mi

769018a

San Angelo, TX · 31 mi

795128a

Colorado City, TX · 37 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 76951

What planting zone is ZIP code 76951?

ZIP code 76951 (Sterling City, 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 Sterling City, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 76951 is March 31; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sterling City station.

When is the first frost in Sterling City, TX?

The median first fall frost near 76951 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 219 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 76951?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 76951 get?

About 20.4 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sterling City station).

How hot do summers get in Sterling City, TX?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 105 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 76951 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ector at the center of ZIP 76951: extremely gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 8.0 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Sterling City, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 76951 came on Feb 9 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sterling City, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 76951 is 14 h 14 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 76951 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 76951 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.