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

Planting zone for 77517 — Santa Fe, TX

ZIP code 77517 (Santa Fe, Galveston County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost December 5.

Where ZIP 77517 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 14

First frostDec 5

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 Santa Fe, 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 Santa Fe, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 14median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 5median — 10% chance by Nov 14

Growing season298 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 25 and returns around December 30.

From the NOAA station Alvin, TX — 6 miles away, elevation 30 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 77517

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 3 – Jan 24

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 6 – Dec 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 6 – Dec 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 28 – Mar 14

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

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 14) 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 77517 came on Jan 11 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23).

average
Jan 232026
Jan 11

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 Santa Fe, TX.

Soil in Santa Fe, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77517 is Lake Charles — clay, moderately well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.1neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lake Charles clay, 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 77517; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Santa Fe, TX

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days78days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights10nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,224base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 02 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 16 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation55.1 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: Alvin, TX (6 mi away); precipitation: Alvin, TX (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

Texas City, TX · 9 mi

Liverpool, TX · 10 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Santa Fe → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 77517

What planting zone is ZIP code 77517?

ZIP code 77517 (Santa Fe, 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 Santa Fe, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 77517 is February 14; after March 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alvin station.

When is the first frost in Santa Fe, TX?

The median first fall frost near 77517 is December 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 298 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 77517?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 20 – Jan 3 and set transplants outside around Feb 21 – Mar 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 77517 get?

About 55.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alvin station).

How hot do summers get in Santa Fe, TX?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 78 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 77517 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lake Charles at the center of ZIP 77517: clay, moderately well drained, pH about 7.1 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Santa Fe, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 77517 came on Jan 11 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Santa Fe, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 77517 is 14 h 02 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 77517 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 77517 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.