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

Planting zone for 77457 — Matagorda, TX

ZIP code 77457 (Matagorda, Matagorda County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 5 and the first fall frost December 16.

Where ZIP 77457 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C

Last frostFeb 5

First frostDec 16

2012 zone9a

Was 9a 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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Matagorda, 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 Matagorda, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 16median — 10% chance by Nov 20

Growing season310 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 22 and returns around January 1.

From the NOAA station Matagorda No 2, TX — 2 miles away, elevation 10 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 77457

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 25 – Jan 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 27 – Dec 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 11 – Dec 25

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 27 – Dec 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 21 – Nov 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 2 – Jan 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 5) and first fall frost (Dec 16) 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 77457 came on Jan 15 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22).

average
Jan 222026
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 9b in Texas

646 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9b. 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 Matagorda, TX.

Soil in Matagorda, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77457 is Livia — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.3%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Livia silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded.

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 77457; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Matagorda, TX

Summer high89 °Faverage high, August

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days47days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights6nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,145base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 58 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 19 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation44.5 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: Matagorda No 2, TX (2 mi away); precipitation: Matagorda No 2, TX (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

774839b

Wadsworth, TX · 7 mi

774289b

Collegeport, TX · 13 mi

Cedar Lane, TX · 22 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 77457

What planting zone is ZIP code 77457?

ZIP code 77457 (Matagorda, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Matagorda, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 77457 is February 5; after March 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Matagorda No 2 station.

When is the first frost in Matagorda, TX?

The median first fall frost near 77457 is December 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 310 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 77457?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 11 – Dec 25 and set transplants outside around Feb 12 – Feb 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 77457 get?

About 44.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Matagorda No 2 station).

How hot do summers get in Matagorda, TX?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in August, with about 47 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 77457 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Livia at the center of ZIP 77457: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Matagorda, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 77457 came on Jan 15 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Matagorda, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 77457 is 13 h 58 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 77457 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 77457 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.