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

Planting zone for 78042 — Laredo, TX

Q: What planting zone is ZIP code 78042?

ZIP code 78042 (Laredo, 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).

Q: When is the last frost in Laredo, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78042 is January 25; after February 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Laredo 2 station.

Q: When is the first frost in Laredo, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78042 is December 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 329 days.

Q: When should I plant tomatoes in 78042?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Nov 30 – Dec 14 and set transplants outside around Feb 1 – Feb 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

Q: How much rain and snow does 78042 get?

About 19.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Laredo 2 station).

Q: How hot do summers get in Laredo, TX?

The average high peaks at 101 °F in August, with about 178 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Q: What kind of soil does 78042 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Copita at the center of ZIP 78042: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Q: Did spring come early in Laredo, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78042 came on Jan 10 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

Q: What kind of onions grow in Laredo, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78042 is 13 h 53 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Q: Did the zone for 78042 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 78042 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.

ZIP code 78042 (Laredo, Webb County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is January 25 and the first fall frost December 17.

Where ZIP 78042 is

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 frostJan 25

First frostDec 17

2012 zone9a

Was 9a 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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Laredo, 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 Laredo, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJanuary 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsFebruary 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 17median — 10% chance by Nov 23

Growing season329 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 8 and returns around December 30.

From the NOAA station Laredo 2, TX — within 1 mile, elevation 430 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 78042

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 14 – Dec 28

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 14 – Jan 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 16 – Nov 30

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 4 – Jan 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Nov 30 – Dec 14

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 16 – Nov 30

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 8 – Feb 22

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 22 – Nov 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 3 – Jan 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 25) and first fall frost (Dec 17) 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 78042 came on Jan 10 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 19).

average
Jan 192026
Jan 10

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 Laredo, TX.

Soil in Laredo, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78042 is Copita — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Copita fine sandy loam, 0 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 78042; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Laredo, TX

Summer high101 °Faverage high, August

Winter low47 °Faverage low, January

Hot days178days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights5nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days9,202base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 53 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 24 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation19.7 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: Laredo 2, TX (within 1 mile); precipitation: Laredo 2, TX (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

Mirando City, TX · 26 mi

All 7 ZIP codes in Laredo → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78042

What planting zone is ZIP code 78042?

ZIP code 78042 (Laredo, 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 Laredo, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78042 is January 25; after February 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Laredo 2 station.

When is the first frost in Laredo, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78042 is December 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 329 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78042?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Nov 30 – Dec 14 and set transplants outside around Feb 1 – Feb 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78042 get?

About 19.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Laredo 2 station).

How hot do summers get in Laredo, TX?

The average high peaks at 101 °F in August, with about 178 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78042 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Copita at the center of ZIP 78042: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Laredo, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78042 came on Jan 10 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Laredo, TX?