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

Planting zone for 77448 — Hungerford, TX

ZIP code 77448 (Hungerford, Wharton County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 23 and the first fall frost December 5.

Where ZIP 77448 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 frostFeb 23

First frostDec 5

2012 zone9a

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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hungerford, 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 Hungerford, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostDecember 5median — 10% chance by Nov 15

Growing season287 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 2 and returns around December 25.

From the NOAA station El Campo, TX — 19 miles away, elevation 112 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 77448

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Feb 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 15 – Dec 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 2 – Feb 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 15 – Dec 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 10 – Oct 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 21 – Dec 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 23) and first fall frost (Dec 5) 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 77448 came on Jan 15 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23).

average
Jan 232026
Jan 15

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.

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 Hungerford, TX.

Soil in Hungerford, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77448 is Texana — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Texana fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 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 77448; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hungerford, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, August

Winter low42 °Faverage low, January

Hot days130days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights11nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,738base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 02 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 15 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation50 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: El Campo, TX (19 mi away); precipitation: Wharton 3.1 Ne, TX (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

774519a

Kendleton, TX · 5 mi

774439a

Glen Flora, TX · 7 mi

774359a

East Bernard, TX · 7 mi

Lane City, TX · 13 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 77448

What planting zone is ZIP code 77448?

ZIP code 77448 (Hungerford, 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 Hungerford, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 77448 is February 23; after March 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, El Campo station.

When is the first frost in Hungerford, TX?

The median first fall frost near 77448 is December 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 287 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 77448?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 29 – Jan 12 and set transplants outside around Mar 2 – Mar 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 77448 get?

About 50 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wharton 3.1 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Hungerford, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in August, with about 130 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 77448 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Texana at the center of ZIP 77448: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hungerford, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 77448 came on Jan 15 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hungerford, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 77448 is 14 h 02 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.