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

Planting zone for 78133 — Canyon Lake, TX

ZIP code 78133 (Canyon Lake, Comal County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost December 1.

Where ZIP 78133 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 1

First frostDec 1

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 Canyon Lake, 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 Canyon Lake, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 1median — 10% chance by Nov 9

Growing season276 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 10 and returns around December 19.

From the NOAA station Canyon Dam, TX — 4 miles away, elevation 1,001 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 78133

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 6 – Oct 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 17 – Dec 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 1) and first fall frost (Dec 1) 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 78133 came on Jan 29 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

average
Jan 272026
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 Canyon Lake, TX.

Soil in Canyon Lake, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78133 is Brackett — paragravelly clay loam, well drained.

TextureParagravelly clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Brackett-Rock outcrop-Comfort complex, 1 to 8 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 78133; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Canyon Lake, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, August

Winter low40 °Faverage low, January

Hot days103days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights18nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,930base 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

Precipitation37.4 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: Canyon Dam, TX (4 mi away); precipitation: Canyon Lake 2.3 Ese, TX (2 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.

786239a

Fischer, TX · 5 mi

780708b

Spring Branch, TX · 9 mi

781329a

New Braunfels, TX · 9 mi

786768b

Wimberley, TX · 12 mi

781638b

Bulverde, TX · 14 mi

781319a

New Braunfels, TX · 15 mi

781359a

New Braunfels, TX · 15 mi

782619a

San Antonio, TX · 16 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78133

What planting zone is ZIP code 78133?

ZIP code 78133 (Canyon Lake, 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 Canyon Lake, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78133 is March 1; after March 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Canyon Dam station.

When is the first frost in Canyon Lake, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78133 is December 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 276 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78133?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 4 – Jan 18 and set transplants outside around Mar 8 – Mar 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78133 get?

About 37.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Canyon Lake 2.3 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Canyon Lake, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in August, with about 103 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78133 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brackett at the center of ZIP 78133: paragravelly clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Canyon Lake, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78133 came on Jan 29 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Canyon Lake, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78133 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 78133 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 78133 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.