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

Planting zone for 78160 — Stockdale, TX

ZIP code 78160 (Stockdale, Wilson 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 78160 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 Stockdale, 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 Stockdale, 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 — 9 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 78160

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 78160 came on Jan 15 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24).

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).

Soil in Stockdale, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78160 is Elmendorf — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.3neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Elmendorf-Denhawken complex, 1 to 4 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 78160; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stockdale, 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 01 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 16 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation34 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 65 °F, low 38 °F 65°38° JanFebruary: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° FebMarch: average high 74 °F, low 49 °F 74°49° MarApril: average high 81 °F, low 56 °F 81°56° AprMay: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° MayJune: average high 93 °F, low 70 °F 93°70° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 72 °F 95°72° JulAugust: average high 97 °F, low 72 °F 97°72° AugSeptember: average high 91 °F, low 67 °F 91°67° SepOctober: average high 84 °F, low 57 °F 84°57° OctNovember: average high 74 °F, low 48 °F 74°48° NovDecember: average high 66 °F, low 41 °F 66°41° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.02 in precipitation 2.0 JanFebruary: 1.86 in precipitation 1.9 FebMarch: 2.81 in precipitation 2.8 MarApril: 2.75 in precipitation 2.8 AprMay: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 JunJuly: 2.89 in precipitation 2.9 JulAugust: 2.66 in precipitation 2.7 AugSeptember: 3.16 in precipitation 3.2 SepOctober: 3.19 in precipitation 3.2 OctNovember: 2.32 in precipitation 2.3 NovDecember: 2.18 in precipitation 2.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Nixon, TX (9 mi away); precipitation: Stockdale 6n, TX (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

781439a
Pandora, TX · 4 mi
781619a
Sutherland Springs, TX · 9 mi
781409a
Nixon, TX · 10 mi
781219a
La Vernia, TX · 13 mi
781169a
Gillett, TX · 14 mi
781479a
Poth, TX · 16 mi
781119a
Ecleto, TX · 18 mi
781229a
Leesville, TX · 19 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78160

What planting zone is ZIP code 78160?

ZIP code 78160 (Stockdale, 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 Stockdale, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78160 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 Stockdale, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78160 is November 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 260 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78160?

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 78160 get?

About 34 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stockdale 6n station).

How hot do summers get in Stockdale, 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 78160 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Elmendorf at the center of ZIP 78160: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.3 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Stockdale, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78160 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 Stockdale, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78160 is 14 h 01 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 78160 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 78160 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.