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

Planting zone for 77363 — Plantersville, TX

ZIP code 77363 (Plantersville, Grimes County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 7 and the first fall frost November 19.

Where ZIP 77363 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F
Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C
Last frostMar 7
First frostNov 19
2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Plantersville, 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 Plantersville, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 19median — 10% chance by Nov 1
Growing season259 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 19 and returns around December 3.

From the NOAA station Washington Sp, TX — 19 miles away, elevation 217 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 77363

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 24 – Oct 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 5 – Dec 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 7) and first fall frost (Nov 19) 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 77363 came on Jan 11 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

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 9a in Texas

640 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 72

Shrubs 141

Wildflowers & perennials 208

Grasses 196

Vines 14

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 Plantersville, TX.

Soil in Plantersville, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77363 is Fetzer — loamy fine sand, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter0.55%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fetzer loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 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 77363; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Plantersville, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, August
Winter low38 °Faverage low, January
Hot days118days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights31nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,917base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 06 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 11 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation47 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 62 °F, low 38 °F 62°38° JanFebruary: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° FebMarch: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° MarApril: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° AprMay: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 73 °F 95°73° JulAugust: average high 96 °F, low 73 °F 96°73° AugSeptember: average high 91 °F, low 67 °F 91°67° SepOctober: average high 82 °F, low 56 °F 82°56° OctNovember: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° NovDecember: average high 64 °F, low 40 °F 64°40° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.55 in precipitation 4.5 JanFebruary: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 3.02 in precipitation 3.0 MarApril: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.61 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 2.94 in precipitation 2.9 JulAugust: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 4.65 in precipitation 4.7 OctNovember: 4.89 in precipitation 4.9 NovDecember: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Washington Sp, TX (19 mi away); precipitation: Dacus, TX (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 77363

What planting zone is ZIP code 77363?

ZIP code 77363 (Plantersville, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Plantersville, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 77363 is March 7; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Washington Sp station.

When is the first frost in Plantersville, TX?

The median first fall frost near 77363 is November 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 259 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 77363?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 10 – Jan 24 and set transplants outside around Mar 14 – Mar 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 77363 get?

About 47 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dacus station).

How hot do summers get in Plantersville, 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 77363 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fetzer at the center of ZIP 77363: loamy fine sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Plantersville, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 77363 came on Jan 11 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Plantersville, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 77363 is 14 h 06 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 77363 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 77363 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.