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

Planting zone for 78376 — Realitos, TX

ZIP code 78376 (Realitos, Duval County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 4 and the first fall frost December 12.

Where ZIP 78376 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 4

First frostDec 12

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 Realitos, 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 Realitos, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 12median — 10% chance by Nov 22

Growing season320 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 15 and returns around December 30.

From the NOAA station Hebbronville, TX — 12 miles away, elevation 581 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 78376

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 24 – Jan 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 26 – Dec 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 10 – Dec 24

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 26 – Dec 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 18 – Mar 4

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 17 – Oct 31

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 28 – Jan 2

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 4) and first fall frost (Dec 12) 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 78376 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 Realitos, TX.

Soil in Realitos, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78376 is Delmita — fine sandy loam, well drained.

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

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importance, if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Delmita fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 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 78376; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Realitos, TX

Summer high100 °Faverage high, August

Winter low46 °Faverage low, January

Hot days158days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights8nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days8,853base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 52 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

Precipitation27.5 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: Hebbronville, TX (12 mi away); precipitation: Hebbronville 13.6 E, TX (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

783499b

Concepcion, TX · 12 mi

783419b

Benavides, TX · 14 mi

783759b

Premont, TX · 19 mi

783559b

Falfurrias, TX · 21 mi

783849b

San Diego, TX · 25 mi

783449b

Bruni, TX · 26 mi

783619b

Hebbronville, TX · 27 mi

783429b

Ben Bolt, TX · 32 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78376

What planting zone is ZIP code 78376?

ZIP code 78376 (Realitos, 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 Realitos, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78376 is February 4; after March 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hebbronville station.

When is the first frost in Realitos, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78376 is December 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 320 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78376?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 10 – Dec 24 and set transplants outside around Feb 11 – Feb 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78376 get?

About 27.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hebbronville 13.6 E station).

How hot do summers get in Realitos, TX?

The average high peaks at 100 °F in August, with about 158 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78376 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Delmita at the center of ZIP 78376: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Realitos, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78376 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 Realitos, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78376 is 13 h 52 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 78376 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 78376 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.