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

Planting zone for 77473 — San Felipe, TX

ZIP code 77473 (San Felipe, Austin 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 77473 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 San Felipe, 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 San Felipe, 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 — 3 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 77473

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 77473 came on Jan 15 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24).

average
Jan 242026
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 San Felipe, TX.

Soil in San Felipe, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77473 is Mabank — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

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

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Mabank 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 77473; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in San Felipe, 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 04 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

Precipitation50.8 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: Sealy, TX (3 mi away); precipitation: San Felipe 1.0 Wnw, TX (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Brookshire, TX · 7 mi

Cat Spring, TX · 16 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 77473

What planting zone is ZIP code 77473?

ZIP code 77473 (San Felipe, 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 San Felipe, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 77473 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 San Felipe, TX?

The median first fall frost near 77473 is November 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 276 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 77473?

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 77473 get?

About 50.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, San Felipe 1.0 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in San Felipe, 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 77473 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mabank at the center of ZIP 77473: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in San Felipe, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 77473 came on Jan 15 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in San Felipe, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 77473 is 14 h 04 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.