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

Planting zone for 78014 — Cotulla, TX

ZIP code 78014 (Cotulla, La Salle County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 11 and the first fall frost December 3.

Where ZIP 78014 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 11

First frostDec 3

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 Cotulla, 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 Cotulla, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 3median — 10% chance by Nov 15

Growing season300 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 20 and returns around December 19.

From the NOAA station Cotulla La Salle Co. Airport, TX — 7 miles away, elevation 476 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 78014

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 31 – Jan 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 3 – Dec 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 17 – Dec 31

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 3 – Dec 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 25 – Mar 11

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 8 – Oct 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 19 – Dec 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 11) and first fall frost (Dec 3) 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 78014 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 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 Cotulla, TX.

Soil in Cotulla, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78014 is Moglia — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Moglia clay loam, 1 to 5 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 78014; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cotulla, TX

Summer high100 °Faverage high, August

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days166days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights10nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days8,524base 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

Precipitation21.4 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: Cotulla La Salle Co. Airport, TX (7 mi away); precipitation: Los Angeles 4 Wsw, TX (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

780019a

Artesia Wells, TX · 13 mi

780219a

Fowlerton, TX · 17 mi

788309a

Big Wells, TX · 24 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78014

What planting zone is ZIP code 78014?

ZIP code 78014 (Cotulla, 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 Cotulla, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78014 is February 11; after March 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cotulla La Salle Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Cotulla, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78014 is December 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 300 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78014?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 17 – Dec 31 and set transplants outside around Feb 18 – Mar 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78014 get?

About 21.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Los Angeles 4 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Cotulla, TX?

The average high peaks at 100 °F in August, with about 166 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78014 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Moglia at the center of ZIP 78014: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Cotulla, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78014 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 Cotulla, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78014 is 13 h 57 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.