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

Planting zone for 78351 — Driscoll, TX

ZIP code 78351 (Driscoll, Nueces County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost December 7.

Where ZIP 78351 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C

Last frostFeb 13

First frostDec 7

2012 zone9b

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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Driscoll, 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 Driscoll, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 13median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostDecember 7median — 10% chance by Nov 17

Growing season305 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 26 and returns around December 29.

From the NOAA station Bishop, TX — 7 miles away, elevation 66 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 78351

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 5 – Dec 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 19 – Jan 2

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 5 – Dec 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 12 – Oct 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 23 – Dec 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 13) and first fall frost (Dec 7) 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 78351 came on Jan 10 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 19).

average
Jan 192026
Jan 10

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 9b in Texas

646 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9b. 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 Driscoll, TX.

Soil in Driscoll, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78351 is Victoria — clay, well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH8.1alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Victoria clay 0 to 1 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 78351; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Driscoll, TX

Summer high97 °Faverage high, August

Winter low45 °Faverage low, January

Hot days135days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights9nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days8,299base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 54 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 23 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation28.8 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: Bishop, TX (7 mi away); precipitation: Bishop, TX (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Corpus Christi, TX · 12 mi

783309b

Agua Dulce, TX · 12 mi

783649b

Kingsville, TX · 12 mi

784109b

Corpus Christi, TX · 15 mi

784069b

Corpus Christi, TX · 16 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78351

What planting zone is ZIP code 78351?

ZIP code 78351 (Driscoll, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Driscoll, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78351 is February 13; after March 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bishop station.

When is the first frost in Driscoll, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78351 is December 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 305 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78351?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 19 – Jan 2 and set transplants outside around Feb 20 – Mar 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78351 get?

About 28.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bishop station).

How hot do summers get in Driscoll, TX?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in August, with about 135 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78351 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Victoria at the center of ZIP 78351: clay, well drained, pH about 8.1 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Driscoll, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78351 came on Jan 10 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Driscoll, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78351 is 13 h 54 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.