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

Planting zone for 77881 — Wellborn, TX

ZIP code 77881 (Wellborn, Brazos County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 27 and the first fall frost November 30.

Where ZIP 77881 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostFeb 27

First frostNov 30

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 Wellborn, 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 Wellborn, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 30median — 10% chance by Nov 10

Growing season278 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 7 and returns around December 18.

From the NOAA station College Stn, TX — 6 miles away, elevation 305 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 77881

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 16 – Feb 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 19 – Jan 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 19 – Jan 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 5 – Oct 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 16 – Dec 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 27) and first fall frost (Nov 30) 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 77881 came on Jan 15 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

average
Jan 262026
Jan 15

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 Wellborn, TX.

Soil in Wellborn, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77881 is Mabank — loam, moderately well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Mabank loam, 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 77881; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wellborn, TX

Summer high97 °Faverage high, August

Winter low41 °Faverage low, January

Hot days117days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights16nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,355base 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

Precipitation46.3 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: College Stn, TX (6 mi away); precipitation: College Station 3.2 Se, TX (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

778459a

College Station, TX · 3 mi

778419a

College Station, TX · 3 mi

778409a

College Station, TX · 6 mi

778669a

Millican, TX · 6 mi

778439a

College Station, TX · 6 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 77881

What planting zone is ZIP code 77881?

ZIP code 77881 (Wellborn, 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 Wellborn, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 77881 is February 27; after March 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, College Stn station.

When is the first frost in Wellborn, TX?

The median first fall frost near 77881 is November 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 278 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 77881?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 2 – Jan 16 and set transplants outside around Mar 6 – Mar 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 77881 get?

About 46.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, College Station 3.2 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Wellborn, TX?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in August, with about 117 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 77881 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mabank at the center of ZIP 77881: loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Wellborn, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 77881 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 Wellborn, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 77881 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 77881 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 77881 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.