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

Planting zone for 78363 — Kingsville, TX

ZIP code 78363 (Kingsville, Kleberg County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 3 and the first fall frost December 14.

Where ZIP 78363 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 3

First frostDec 14

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 Kingsville, 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 Kingsville, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 14median — 10% chance by Nov 21

Growing season314 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 14 and returns around December 28.

From the NOAA station Kingsville Naas, TX — 5 miles away, elevation 56 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 78363

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 23 – Jan 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 25 – Dec 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 9 – Dec 23

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 25 – Dec 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 17 – Mar 3

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 19 – Nov 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 30 – Jan 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 3) and first fall frost (Dec 14) 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 78363 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 Kingsville, TX.

Soil in Kingsville, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78363 is Palobia — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

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

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Palobia-Colmena complex, 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 78363; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kingsville, TX

Summer high97 °Faverage high, August

Winter low47 °Faverage low, January

Hot days148days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights5nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days8,603base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 52 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 24 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation31.5 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: Kingsville Naas, TX (5 mi away); precipitation: Kingsville 6.5 Sse, TX (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

783649b

Kingsville, TX · 5 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Kingsville → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78363

What planting zone is ZIP code 78363?

ZIP code 78363 (Kingsville, 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 Kingsville, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78363 is February 3; after March 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kingsville Naas station.

When is the first frost in Kingsville, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78363 is December 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 314 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78363?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 9 – Dec 23 and set transplants outside around Feb 10 – Feb 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78363 get?

About 31.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kingsville 6.5 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Kingsville, TX?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in August, with about 148 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78363 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Palobia at the center of ZIP 78363: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Kingsville, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78363 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 Kingsville, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78363 is 13 h 52 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.