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

Planting zone for 77983 — Seadrift, TX

ZIP code 77983 (Seadrift, Calhoun County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 7 and the first fall frost December 13.

Where ZIP 77983 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 7

First frostDec 13

2012 zone9b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Seadrift, 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 Seadrift, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 13median — 10% chance by Nov 22

Growing season306 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 27 and returns around December 29.

From the NOAA station Aransas Wr, TX — 8 miles away, elevation 16 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 77983

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 27 – Jan 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 29 – Dec 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 17 – Jan 31

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 13 – Dec 27

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 29 – Dec 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 21 – Mar 7

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 18 – Nov 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 29 – Jan 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 7) and first fall frost (Dec 13) 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 77983 came on Jan 15 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22).

average
Jan 222026
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 Seadrift, TX.

Soil in Seadrift, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77983 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-Contee complex, 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 77983; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Seadrift, TX

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days60days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights7nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,545base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 57 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 20 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation40.9 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: Aransas Wr, TX (8 mi away); precipitation: Aransas Wr, TX (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

779829b

Port O Connor, TX · 13 mi

Port Lavaca, TX · 17 mi

Bloomington, TX · 22 mi

779789b

Point Comfort, TX · 23 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 77983

What planting zone is ZIP code 77983?

ZIP code 77983 (Seadrift, 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 Seadrift, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 77983 is February 7; after March 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aransas Wr station.

When is the first frost in Seadrift, TX?

The median first fall frost near 77983 is December 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 306 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 77983?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 13 – Dec 27 and set transplants outside around Feb 14 – Feb 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 77983 get?

About 40.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aransas Wr station).

How hot do summers get in Seadrift, TX?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 60 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 77983 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dacosta at the center of ZIP 77983: sandy clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Seadrift, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 77983 came on Jan 15 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Seadrift, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 77983 is 13 h 57 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.