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

Planting zone for 77873 — Richards, TX

ZIP code 77873 (Richards, Grimes County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost November 26.

Where ZIP 77873 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 2
First frostNov 26
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 Richards, 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 Richards, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 26median — 10% chance by Nov 7
Growing season272 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 8 and returns around December 16.

From the NOAA station Huntsville Municipal Airport, TX — 17 miles away, elevation 367 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 77873

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 1 – Oct 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 12 – Dec 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 2) and first fall frost (Nov 26) 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 77873 came on Jan 15 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

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 Richards, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77873 is Fetzer — loamy fine sand, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter0.55%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fetzer loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 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 77873; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Richards, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, August
Winter low41 °Faverage low, January
Hot days111days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights19nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days7,144base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 08 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
Precipitation42.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 61 °F, low 41 °F 61°41° JanFebruary: average high 65 °F, low 45 °F 65°45° FebMarch: average high 72 °F, low 51 °F 72°51° MarApril: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° AprMay: average high 86 °F, low 66 °F 86°66° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 73 °F 92°73° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 75 °F 94°75° JulAugust: average high 95 °F, low 74 °F 95°74° AugSeptember: average high 90 °F, low 69 °F 90°69° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° OctNovember: average high 70 °F, low 49 °F 70°49° NovDecember: average high 62 °F, low 43 °F 62°43° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 JanFebruary: 2.70 in precipitation 2.7 FebMarch: 3.24 in precipitation 3.2 MarApril: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 JunJuly: 2.36 in precipitation 2.4 JulAugust: 2.77 in precipitation 2.8 AugSeptember: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 OctNovember: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Huntsville Municipal Airport, TX (17 mi away); precipitation: Richards, TX (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

778769a
Shiro, TX · 4 mi
778759a
Roans Prairie, TX · 8 mi
773569a
Montgomery, TX · 9 mi
778319a
Bedias, TX · 12 mi
778309a
Anderson, TX · 12 mi
773419a
Huntsville, TX · 16 mi
773409a
Huntsville, TX · 17 mi
773339a
Dobbin, TX · 17 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 77873

What planting zone is ZIP code 77873?

ZIP code 77873 (Richards, 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 Richards, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 77873 is March 2; after March 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Huntsville Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Richards, TX?

The median first fall frost near 77873 is November 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 272 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 77873?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 5 – Jan 19 and set transplants outside around Mar 9 – Mar 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 77873 get?

About 42.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Richards station).

How hot do summers get in Richards, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in August, with about 111 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 77873 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fetzer at the center of ZIP 77873: loamy fine sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Richards, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 77873 came on Jan 15 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Richards, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 77873 is 14 h 08 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 77873 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 77873 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.