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

Planting zone for 78381 — Rockport, TX

ZIP code 78381 (Rockport, Aransas 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 25.

Where ZIP 78381 is

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 25

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 Rockport, 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 Rockport, 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 plantsFebruary 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 25median — 10% chance by Nov 28

Growing season328 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 20 and returns around January 5.

From the NOAA station Rockport, TX — 2 miles away, elevation 7 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 78381

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 30 – Nov 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 11 – Jan 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 31) and first fall frost (Dec 25) 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 78381 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 Rockport, TX.

Soil in Rockport, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78381 is Mustang — fine sand, poorly drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.4slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter0.55%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mustang fine sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, frequently ponded.

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 78381; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rockport, TX

Summer high93 °Faverage high, August

Winter low46 °Faverage low, January

Hot days89days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights4nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days8,283base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 55 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 22 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation36.4 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: Rockport, TX (2 mi away); precipitation: Rockport, TX (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

5 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Aransas Pass, TX · 8 mi

7833510a

Aransas Pass, TX · 9 mi

783409b

Bayside, TX · 10 mi

7836210a

Ingleside, TX · 13 mi

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

Questions about 78381

What planting zone is ZIP code 78381?

ZIP code 78381 (Rockport, 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 Rockport, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78381 is January 31; after February 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rockport station.

When is the first frost in Rockport, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78381 is December 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 328 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78381?

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 78381 get?

About 36.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rockport station).

How hot do summers get in Rockport, TX?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in August, with about 89 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78381 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mustang at the center of ZIP 78381: fine sand, poorly drained, pH about 7.4 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Rockport, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78381 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 Rockport, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78381 is 13 h 55 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.