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

Planting zone for 78355 — Falfurrias, TX

ZIP code 78355 (Falfurrias, Brooks County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 25 and the first fall frost December 1.

Where ZIP 78355 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 25

First frostDec 1

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 Falfurrias, 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 Falfurrias, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 1median — 10% chance by Nov 12

Growing season285 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 31 and returns around December 20.

From the NOAA station Falfurrias, TX — 6 miles away, elevation 138 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 78355

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 14 – Feb 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 17 – Dec 31

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 17 – Dec 31

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

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 (Feb 25) 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 78355 came on Jan 10 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 18).

average
Jan 182026
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 Falfurrias, TX.

Soil in Falfurrias, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78355 is Quiteria — fine sand, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.55%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Quiteria fine sand, nearly level.

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 78355; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Falfurrias, TX

Summer high98 °Faverage high, July

Winter low43 °Faverage low, January

Hot days160days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights10nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days8,244base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 51 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 25 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation27.7 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: Falfurrias, TX (6 mi away); precipitation: Falfurrias 8.9 Ssw, TX (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

783499b

Concepcion, TX · 14 mi

Kingsville, TX · 28 mi

783649b

Kingsville, TX · 31 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78355

What planting zone is ZIP code 78355?

ZIP code 78355 (Falfurrias, 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 Falfurrias, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78355 is February 25; after March 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Falfurrias station.

When is the first frost in Falfurrias, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78355 is December 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 285 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78355?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 31 – Jan 14 and set transplants outside around Mar 4 – Mar 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78355 get?

About 27.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Falfurrias 8.9 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Falfurrias, TX?

The average high peaks at 98 °F in July, with about 160 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78355 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Quiteria at the center of ZIP 78355: fine sand, moderately well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Falfurrias, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78355 came on Jan 10 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Falfurrias, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78355 is 13 h 51 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.