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

Planting zone for 77971 — Lolita, TX

ZIP code 77971 (Lolita, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 1 and the first fall frost December 21.

Where ZIP 77971 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C

Last frostFeb 1

First frostDec 21

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 Lolita, 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 Lolita, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 21median — 10% chance by Nov 25

Growing season321 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 21 and returns around January 1.

From the NOAA station Pt Comfort, TX — 12 miles away, elevation 20 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 77971

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 21 – Jan 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 23 – Dec 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 7 – Dec 21

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 23 – Dec 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 15 – Mar 1

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 26 – Nov 9

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 7 – Jan 11

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 1) and first fall frost (Dec 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 77971 came on Jan 15 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23).

average
Jan 232026
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 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 Lolita, TX.

Soil in Lolita, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77971 is Dacosta — sandy clay loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.86%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dacosta sandy clay 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 77971; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lolita, TX

Summer high92 °Faverage high, August

Winter low46 °Faverage low, January

Hot days77days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights5nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,902base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 59 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 18 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation41.4 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: Pt Comfort, TX (12 mi away); precipitation: Pt Comfort, TX (12 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.

779709b

La Ward, TX · 5 mi

779919b

Vanderbilt, TX · 6 mi

Point Comfort, TX · 10 mi

Port Lavaca, TX · 17 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 77971

What planting zone is ZIP code 77971?

ZIP code 77971 (Lolita, 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 Lolita, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 77971 is February 1; after March 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pt Comfort station.

When is the first frost in Lolita, TX?

The median first fall frost near 77971 is December 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 321 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 77971?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 7 – Dec 21 and set transplants outside around Feb 8 – Feb 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 77971 get?

About 41.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pt Comfort station).

How hot do summers get in Lolita, TX?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in August, with about 77 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 77971 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dacosta at the center of ZIP 77971: sandy clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Lolita, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 77971 came on Jan 15 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lolita, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 77971 is 13 h 59 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 77971 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 77971 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.