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

Planting zone for 78368 — Mathis, TX

ZIP code 78368 (Mathis, San Patricio County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is January 31 and the first fall frost December 23.

Where ZIP 78368 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 frostJan 31

First frostDec 23

2012 zone9a

Was 9a 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 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Mathis, 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 Mathis, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJanuary 31median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 23median — 10% chance by Nov 28

Growing season328 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 13 and returns around January 2.

From the NOAA station Mathis 4 Ssw, TX — 7 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 78368

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 20 – Jan 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 22 – Dec 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 6 – Dec 20

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 22 – Dec 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 28 – Nov 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 9 – Jan 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 31) and first fall frost (Dec 23) 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 78368 came on Jan 10 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 20).

average
Jan 202026
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 Mathis, TX.

Soil in Mathis, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78368 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 78368; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mathis, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, August

Winter low45 °Faverage low, January

Hot days126days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights5nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,846base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 56 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 21 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation27.5 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: Mathis 4 Ssw, TX (7 mi away); precipitation: Mathis 4 Ssw, TX (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

Orange Grove, TX · 19 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78368

What planting zone is ZIP code 78368?

ZIP code 78368 (Mathis, 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 Mathis, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78368 is January 31; after March 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mathis 4 Ssw station.

When is the first frost in Mathis, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78368 is December 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 328 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78368?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 6 – Dec 20 and set transplants outside around Feb 7 – Feb 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78368 get?

About 27.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mathis 4 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Mathis, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in August, with about 126 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78368 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Victoria at the center of ZIP 78368: clay, well drained, pH about 8.1 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Mathis, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78368 came on Jan 10 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mathis, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78368 is 13 h 56 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 78368 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 78368 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.