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

Planting zone for 78379 — Riviera, TX

ZIP code 78379 (Riviera, Kleberg County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 17 and the first fall frost December 8.

Where ZIP 78379 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 17

First frostDec 8

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 Riviera, 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 Riviera, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 8median — 10% chance by Nov 19

Growing season300 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Sarita 7 E, TX — 8 miles away, elevation 39 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 78379

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 6 – Jan 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 9 – Dec 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 9 – Dec 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 13 – Oct 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 24 – Dec 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 17) and first fall frost (Dec 8) 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 78379 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 Riviera, TX.

Soil in Riviera, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78379 is Palobia — loamy fine sand, moderately well drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.67%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Palobia loamy fine sand, 1 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 78379; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Riviera, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, August

Winter low45 °Faverage low, January

Hot days140days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights12nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days8,185base 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

Precipitation30.3 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: Sarita 7 E, TX (8 mi away); precipitation: Sarita 7 E, TX (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

783639b

Kingsville, TX · 10 mi

783859b

Sarita, TX · 13 mi

783649b

Kingsville, TX · 15 mi

Falfurrias, TX · 27 mi

783429b

Ben Bolt, TX · 30 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78379

What planting zone is ZIP code 78379?

ZIP code 78379 (Riviera, 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 Riviera, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78379 is February 17; after March 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sarita 7 E station.

When is the first frost in Riviera, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78379 is December 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 300 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78379?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 23 – Jan 6 and set transplants outside around Feb 24 – Mar 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78379 get?

About 30.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sarita 7 E station).

How hot do summers get in Riviera, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in August, with about 140 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78379 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Palobia at the center of ZIP 78379: loamy fine sand, moderately well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Riviera, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78379 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 Riviera, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78379 is 13 h 52 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.