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

Planting zone for 77872 — North Zulch, TX

ZIP code 77872 (North Zulch, Madison County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 77872 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 16

First frostNov 11

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 North Zulch, 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 North Zulch, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 25

Growing season240 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 2 and returns around November 20.

From the NOAA station Madisonville, TX — 11 miles away, elevation 253 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 77872

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 16 – Sep 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 16) and first fall frost (Nov 11) 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 77872 came on Jan 30 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

average
Jan 272026
Jan 30

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 North Zulch, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77872 is Boonville — fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

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

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Boonville fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 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 77872; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in North Zulch, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, August

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days107days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights35nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,636base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 09 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 08 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation46.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Madisonville, TX (11 mi away); precipitation: Madisonville, 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.

778619a

Iola, TX · 11 mi

778719a

Normangee, TX · 12 mi

778629a

Kurten, TX · 12 mi

778649a

Madisonville, TX · 13 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 77872

What planting zone is ZIP code 77872?

ZIP code 77872 (North Zulch, 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 North Zulch, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 77872 is March 16; after April 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Madisonville station.

When is the first frost in North Zulch, TX?

The median first fall frost near 77872 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 240 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 77872?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 19 – Feb 2 and set transplants outside around Mar 23 – Apr 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 77872 get?

About 46.8 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Madisonville station).

How hot do summers get in North Zulch, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in August, with about 107 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 77872 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Boonville at the center of ZIP 77872: fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in North Zulch, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 77872 came on Jan 30 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in North Zulch, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 77872 is 14 h 09 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 77872 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 77872 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.