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

Planting zone for 78029 — Kerrville, TX

ZIP code 78029 (Kerrville, Kerr County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost November 15.

Where ZIP 78029 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 16

First frostNov 15

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Kerrville, 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 Kerrville, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 15median — 10% chance by Oct 31

Growing season244 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 2 and returns around November 29.

From the NOAA station Medina 1ne, TX — 7 miles away, elevation 1,713 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 78029

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 20 – Oct 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 1 – Dec 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 16) and first fall frost (Nov 15) 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 78029 came on Feb 3 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

average
Feb 12026
Feb 3

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 8b in Texas

620 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Kerrville, TX.

Soil in Kerrville, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78029 is Eckrant — very cobbly clay, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.3neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter6%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Eckrant-Rock outcrop association, 8 to 30 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 78029; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kerrville, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, August

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days112days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights44nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,439base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 04 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 13 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation31.8 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: Medina 1ne, TX (7 mi away); precipitation: Camp Verde, TX (5 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.

780108b

Center Point, TX · 8 mi

780288b

Kerrville, TX · 10 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Kerrville → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78029

What planting zone is ZIP code 78029?

ZIP code 78029 (Kerrville, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Kerrville, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78029 is March 16; after April 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Medina 1ne station.

When is the first frost in Kerrville, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78029 is November 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 244 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78029?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 19 – Feb 2 and set transplants outside around Mar 23 – Apr 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78029 get?

About 31.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Camp Verde station).

How hot do summers get in Kerrville, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in August, with about 112 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78029 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eckrant at the center of ZIP 78029: very cobbly clay, well drained, pH about 7.3 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Kerrville, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78029 came on Feb 3 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Kerrville, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78029 is 14 h 04 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 78029 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 78029 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.