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

Planting zone for 78056 — Mico, TX

ZIP code 78056 (Mico, Medina County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 18 and the first fall frost December 9.

Where ZIP 78056 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 18

First frostDec 9

2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Mico, 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 Mico, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 9median — 10% chance by Nov 17

Growing season296 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 31 and returns around December 29.

From the NOAA station San Antonio/Seaworld, TX — 16 miles away, elevation 942 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 78056

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 10 – Dec 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 10 – Dec 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 14 – Oct 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 25 – Dec 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 18) and first fall frost (Dec 9) 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 78056 came on Jan 29 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

average
Jan 262026
Jan 29

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 Mico, TX.

Soil in Mico, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78056 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, 1 to 10 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 78056; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mico, TX

Summer high99 °Faverage high, August

Winter low43 °Faverage low, January

Hot days123days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights14nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,892base 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

Precipitation35.6 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: San Antonio/Seaworld, TX (16 mi away); precipitation: Mico 5.0 E, TX (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

780669a

Rio Medina, TX · 4 mi

780638b

Pipe Creek, TX · 10 mi

782539a

San Antonio, TX · 11 mi

780099a

Castroville, TX · 12 mi

780238b

Helotes, TX · 13 mi

782549a

San Antonio, TX · 13 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78056

What planting zone is ZIP code 78056?

ZIP code 78056 (Mico, 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 Mico, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78056 is February 18; after March 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, San Antonio/Seaworld station.

When is the first frost in Mico, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78056 is December 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 296 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78056?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 24 – Jan 7 and set transplants outside around Feb 25 – Mar 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78056 get?

About 35.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mico 5.0 E station).

How hot do summers get in Mico, TX?

The average high peaks at 99 °F in August, with about 123 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78056 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eckrant at the center of ZIP 78056: very cobbly clay, well drained, pH about 7.3 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Mico, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78056 came on Jan 29 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mico, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78056 is 14 h 02 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 78056 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 78056 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.