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

Planting zone for 78012 — Christine, TX

ZIP code 78012 (Christine, Atascosa 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 28.

Where ZIP 78012 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 frostFeb 27

First frostNov 28

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 Christine, 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 Christine, 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 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 28median — 10% chance by Nov 7

Growing season274 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 10 and returns around December 10.

From the NOAA station Pleasanton, TX — 13 miles away, elevation 358 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 78012

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 3 – Oct 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 14 – Dec 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 27) and first fall frost (Nov 28) 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 78012 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 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 Christine, TX.

Soil in Christine, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78012 is Hanis — 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 groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Hanis 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 78012; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Christine, TX

Summer high98 °Faverage high, August

Winter low40 °Faverage low, January

Hot days147days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights19nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,629base 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

Precipitation27.3 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: Pleasanton, TX (13 mi away); precipitation: Jourdanton, TX (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

780269a

Jourdanton, TX · 7 mi

780649a

Pleasanton, TX · 11 mi

780089a

Campbellton, TX · 12 mi

780629a

Peggy, TX · 15 mi

780119a

Charlotte, TX · 17 mi

Falls City, TX · 23 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78012

What planting zone is ZIP code 78012?

ZIP code 78012 (Christine, 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 Christine, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78012 is February 27; after March 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pleasanton station.

When is the first frost in Christine, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78012 is November 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 274 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78012?

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 78012 get?

About 27.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jourdanton station).

How hot do summers get in Christine, TX?

The average high peaks at 98 °F in August, with about 147 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78012 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hanis at the center of ZIP 78012: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Christine, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78012 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 Christine, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78012 is 13 h 59 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.