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

Planting zone for 78377 — Refugio, TX

ZIP code 78377 (Refugio, Refugio County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 27 and the first fall frost December 2.

Where ZIP 78377 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 27

First frostDec 2

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 Refugio, 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 Refugio, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 2median — 10% chance by Nov 10

Growing season283 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 7 and returns around December 18.

From the NOAA station Refugio 2 Nw, TX — 8 miles away, elevation 46 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 78377

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 16 – Feb 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 19 – Jan 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 19 – Jan 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 7 – Oct 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 18 – Dec 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 27) and first fall frost (Dec 2) 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 78377 came on Jan 15 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 21).

average
Jan 212026
Jan 15

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 Refugio, TX.

Soil in Refugio, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78377 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 78377; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Refugio, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, August

Winter low45 °Faverage low, January

Hot days110days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights11nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,844base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 57 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 20 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation34.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Refugio 2 Nw, TX (8 mi away); precipitation: Refugio 2 Nw, TX (8 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.

783409b

Bayside, TX · 14 mi

783939b

Woodsboro, TX · 15 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78377

What planting zone is ZIP code 78377?

ZIP code 78377 (Refugio, 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 Refugio, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78377 is February 27; after March 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Refugio 2 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Refugio, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78377 is December 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 283 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78377?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 2 – Jan 16 and set transplants outside around Mar 6 – Mar 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78377 get?

About 34.8 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Refugio 2 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Refugio, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in August, with about 110 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78377 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Victoria at the center of ZIP 78377: clay, well drained, pH about 8.1 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Refugio, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78377 came on Jan 15 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Refugio, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78377 is 13 h 57 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 78377 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 78377 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.