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

Planting zone for 77464 — Orchard, TX

ZIP code 77464 (Orchard, Fort Bend County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 28 and the first fall frost November 30.

Where ZIP 77464 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 28
First frostNov 30
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 Orchard, 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 Orchard, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 21only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 30median — 10% chance by Nov 9
Growing season276 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 10 and returns around December 20.

From the NOAA station Sealy, TX — 16 miles away, elevation 197 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 77464

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Feb 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 5 – Oct 19
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 16 – Dec 21
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 28) and first fall frost (Nov 30) 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 77464 came on Jan 15 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23).

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).

Soil in Orchard, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77464 is Bernard — clay loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2.7%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bernard-Edna complex, 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 77464; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Orchard, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July
Winter low42 °Faverage low, January
Hot days105days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights13nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days7,318base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 03 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 14 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation51.1 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 64 °F, low 42 °F 64°42° JanFebruary: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° FebMarch: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° MarApril: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° AprMay: average high 86 °F, low 66 °F 86°66° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 72 °F 92°72° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 74 °F 95°74° JulAugust: average high 95 °F, low 73 °F 95°73° AugSeptember: average high 90 °F, low 69 °F 90°69° SepOctober: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° OctNovember: average high 73 °F, low 50 °F 73°50° NovDecember: average high 66 °F, low 44 °F 66°44° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 JanFebruary: 2.92 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 MarApril: 4.29 in precipitation 4.3 AprMay: 4.91 in precipitation 4.9 MayJune: 4.91 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 4.90 in precipitation 4.9 AugSeptember: 4.94 in precipitation 4.9 SepOctober: 4.87 in precipitation 4.9 OctNovember: 4.51 in precipitation 4.5 NovDecember: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sealy, TX (16 mi away); precipitation: Richmond, TX (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

774769a
Simonton, TX · 4 mi
774419a
Fulshear, TX · 6 mi
774719a
Rosenberg, TX · 7 mi
774859a
Wallis, TX · 8 mi
774069b
Richmond, TX · 9 mi
774179a
Beasley, TX · 11 mi
774949a
Katy, TX · 11 mi
774519a
Kendleton, TX · 12 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 77464

What planting zone is ZIP code 77464?

ZIP code 77464 (Orchard, 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 Orchard, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 77464 is February 28; after March 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sealy station.

When is the first frost in Orchard, TX?

The median first fall frost near 77464 is November 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 276 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 77464?

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

How much rain and snow does 77464 get?

About 51.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Richmond station).

How hot do summers get in Orchard, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 105 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 77464 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bernard at the center of ZIP 77464: clay loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Orchard, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 77464 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 Orchard, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 77464 is 14 h 03 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.