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

Planting zone for 78162 — Tuleta, TX

ZIP code 78162 (Tuleta, Bee County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 17 and the first fall frost December 8.

Where ZIP 78162 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 17

First frostDec 8

2012 zone9a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Tuleta, 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 Tuleta, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostDecember 8median — 10% chance by Nov 18

Growing season299 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 29 and returns around December 27.

From the NOAA station Beeville 5 Ne, TX — 10 miles away, elevation 256 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 78162

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 6 – Jan 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 9 – Dec 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 9 – Dec 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 13 – Oct 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 24 – Dec 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 17) and first fall frost (Dec 8) 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 78162 came on Jan 15 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22).

average
Jan 222026
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).

Soil in Tuleta, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78162 is Papagua — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Papagua fine sandy loam, ponded.

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 78162; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tuleta, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, August

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days123days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights9nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,696base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 58 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 19 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation32 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: Beeville 5 Ne, TX (10 mi away); precipitation: Beeville 12.6 Nne, TX (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78162

What planting zone is ZIP code 78162?

ZIP code 78162 (Tuleta, 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 Tuleta, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78162 is February 17; after March 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beeville 5 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Tuleta, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78162 is December 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 299 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78162?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 23 – Jan 6 and set transplants outside around Feb 24 – Mar 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78162 get?

About 32 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beeville 12.6 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Tuleta, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in August, with about 123 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78162 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Papagua at the center of ZIP 78162: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Tuleta, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78162 came on Jan 15 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tuleta, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78162 is 13 h 58 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.