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

Planting zone for 78122 — Leesville, TX

ZIP code 78122 (Leesville, Gonzales County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 7 and the first fall frost November 22.

Where ZIP 78122 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 frostMar 7

First frostNov 22

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 Leesville, 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 Leesville, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 22median — 10% chance by Nov 2

Growing season260 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 20 and returns around December 4.

From the NOAA station Nixon, TX — 12 miles away, elevation 341 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 78122

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 27 – Oct 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 8 – Dec 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 7) and first fall frost (Nov 22) 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 78122 came on Jan 15 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25).

average
Jan 252026
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 Leesville, TX.

Soil in Leesville, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78122 is Edge — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains 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 groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Edge fine sandy loam, 1 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 78122; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Leesville, TX

Summer high97 °Faverage high, August

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days120days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights21nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,155base 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

Precipitation33 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: Nixon, TX (12 mi away); precipitation: Belmont, TX (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Wrightsboro, TX · 10 mi

Kingsbury, TX · 15 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78122

What planting zone is ZIP code 78122?

ZIP code 78122 (Leesville, 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 Leesville, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78122 is March 7; after March 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Nixon station.

When is the first frost in Leesville, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78122 is November 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 260 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78122?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 10 – Jan 24 and set transplants outside around Mar 14 – Mar 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78122 get?

About 33 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Belmont station).

How hot do summers get in Leesville, TX?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in August, with about 120 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78122 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Edge at the center of ZIP 78122: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Leesville, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78122 came on Jan 15 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Leesville, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78122 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 78122 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 78122 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.