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

Planting zone for 77616 — Fred, TX

ZIP code 77616 (Fred, Tyler County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost November 21.

Where ZIP 77616 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 frostMar 6

First frostNov 21

2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Fred, 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 Fred, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 21median — 10% chance by Nov 3

Growing season261 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 16 and returns around December 5.

From the NOAA station Wildwood, TX — 14 miles away, elevation 200 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 77616

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 26 – Oct 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 7 – Dec 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 6) and first fall frost (Nov 21) 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 77616 came on Jan 11 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

average
Jan 272026
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 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 Fred, TX.

Soil in Fred, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77616 is Kirbyville — very fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureVery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3.4%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kirbyville-Niwana complex, 0 to 2 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 77616; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fred, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days110days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights37nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,881base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 07 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 10 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation56.9 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: Wildwood, TX (14 mi away); precipitation: Silsbee 4 N, TX (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Village Mills, TX · 12 mi

759569a

Kirbyville, TX · 15 mi

759799a

Woodville, TX · 17 mi

776159a

Evadale, TX · 17 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 77616

What planting zone is ZIP code 77616?

ZIP code 77616 (Fred, 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 Fred, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 77616 is March 6; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wildwood station.

When is the first frost in Fred, TX?

The median first fall frost near 77616 is November 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 261 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 77616?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 9 – Jan 23 and set transplants outside around Mar 13 – Mar 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 77616 get?

About 56.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Silsbee 4 N station).

How hot do summers get in Fred, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 110 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 77616 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kirbyville at the center of ZIP 77616: very fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fred, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 77616 came on Jan 11 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fred, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 77616 is 14 h 07 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 77616 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 77616 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.