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

Planting zone for 77549 — Friendswood, TX

ZIP code 77549 (Friendswood, Galveston County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is January 31 and the first fall frost December 27.

Where ZIP 77549 is

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 frostJan 31

First frostDec 27

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 Friendswood, 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 Friendswood, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJanuary 31median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 5only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 27median — 10% chance by Nov 28

Growing season328 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 18 and returns around January 8.

From the NOAA station Houston Clover Field, TX — 2 miles away, elevation 43 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 77549

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 20 – Jan 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 22 – Dec 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 6 – Dec 20

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 22 – Dec 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Nov 1 – Nov 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 13 – Jan 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 31) and first fall frost (Dec 27) 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 77549 came on Jan 11 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22).

average
Jan 222026
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 Friendswood, TX.

Soil in Friendswood, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77549 is Kemah — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kemah 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 77549; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Friendswood, TX

Summer high94 °Faverage high, August

Winter low46 °Faverage low, January

Hot days101days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights6nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,903base 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

Precipitation53.3 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: Houston Clover Field, TX (2 mi away); precipitation: Houston Clover Field, TX (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

775469b

Friendswood, TX · 1 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Friendswood → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 77549

What planting zone is ZIP code 77549?

ZIP code 77549 (Friendswood, 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 Friendswood, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 77549 is January 31; after March 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Houston Clover Field station.

When is the first frost in Friendswood, TX?

The median first fall frost near 77549 is December 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 328 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 77549?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 6 – Dec 20 and set transplants outside around Feb 7 – Feb 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 77549 get?

About 53.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Houston Clover Field station).

How hot do summers get in Friendswood, TX?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in August, with about 101 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 77549 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kemah at the center of ZIP 77549: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Friendswood, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 77549 came on Jan 11 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Friendswood, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 77549 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 77549 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 77549 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.