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

Planting zone for 77984 — Shiner, TX

ZIP code 77984 (Shiner, Lavaca 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 30.

Where ZIP 77984 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 30

2012 zone9a

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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Shiner, 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 Shiner, 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 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 30median — 10% chance by Nov 7

Growing season276 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 11 and returns around December 17.

From the NOAA station Yoakum, TX — 14 miles away, elevation 295 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 77984

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 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 (Mar 2) 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 77984 came on Jan 15 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25).

average
Jan 252026
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 Shiner, TX.

Soil in Shiner, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 77984 is Cuero — sandy clay loam, well drained.

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

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cuero sandy clay 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 77984; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Shiner, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, August

Winter low41 °Faverage low, January

Hot days119days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights17nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,219base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 02 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 15 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation38.7 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: Yoakum, TX (14 mi away); precipitation: Shiner 4.1 Ne, TX (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

779759a

Moulton, TX · 10 mi

779879a

Sweet Home, TX · 11 mi

Schulenburg, TX · 22 mi

779649a

Hallettsville, TX · 22 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 77984

What planting zone is ZIP code 77984?

ZIP code 77984 (Shiner, 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 Shiner, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 77984 is March 2; after March 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Yoakum station.

When is the first frost in Shiner, TX?

The median first fall frost near 77984 is November 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 276 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 77984?

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 77984 get?

About 38.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shiner 4.1 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Shiner, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in August, with about 119 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 77984 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cuero at the center of ZIP 77984: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Shiner, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 77984 came on Jan 15 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Shiner, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 77984 is 14 h 02 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.