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

Planting zone for 78061 — Pearsall, TX

ZIP code 78061 (Pearsall, Frio County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 16 and the first fall frost December 6.

Where ZIP 78061 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 16

First frostDec 6

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 Pearsall, 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 Pearsall, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsMarch 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 6median — 10% chance by Nov 16

Growing season296 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 26 and returns around December 23.

From the NOAA station Dilley, TX — 16 miles away, elevation 551 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 78061

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 8 – Dec 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 8 – Dec 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 2 – Mar 16

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 11 – Oct 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 22 – Dec 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 16) and first fall frost (Dec 6) 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 78061 came on Jan 15 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24).

average
Jan 242026
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 Pearsall, TX.

Soil in Pearsall, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78061 is Duval — loamy fine sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Duval loamy fine sand, 0 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 78061; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pearsall, TX

Summer high98 °Faverage high, August

Winter low42 °Faverage low, January

Hot days140days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights10nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,844base 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

Precipitation23.9 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: Dilley, TX (16 mi away); precipitation: Pearsall, TX (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Charlotte, TX · 25 mi

780599a

Natalia, TX · 26 mi

788299a

Batesville, TX · 28 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78061

What planting zone is ZIP code 78061?

ZIP code 78061 (Pearsall, 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 Pearsall, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78061 is February 16; after March 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dilley station.

When is the first frost in Pearsall, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78061 is December 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 296 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78061?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 22 – Jan 5 and set transplants outside around Feb 23 – Mar 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78061 get?

About 23.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pearsall station).

How hot do summers get in Pearsall, TX?

The average high peaks at 98 °F in August, with about 140 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78061 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Duval at the center of ZIP 78061: loamy fine sand, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Pearsall, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78061 came on Jan 15 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pearsall, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78061 is 13 h 59 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 78061 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 78061 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.