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

Planting zone for 78390 — Taft, TX

ZIP code 78390 (Taft, San Patricio County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 24 and the first fall frost December 1.

Where ZIP 78390 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 24

First frostDec 1

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 Taft, 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 Taft, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 1median — 10% chance by Nov 9

Growing season283 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 31 and returns around December 18.

From the NOAA station Welder Wildlife Foundation, TX — 9 miles away, elevation 49 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 78390

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 13 – Feb 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 16 – Dec 30

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 16 – Dec 30

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 6 – Oct 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 17 – Dec 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 24) and first fall frost (Dec 1) 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 78390 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 Taft, TX.

Soil in Taft, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78390 is Victoria — clay, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH8.1alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Victoria clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, low.

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 78390; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Taft, TX

Summer high94 °Faverage high, August

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days113days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights8nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,635base 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: Welder Wildlife Foundation, TX (9 mi away); precipitation: Welder Wildlife Foundation, TX (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Aransas Pass, TX · 12 mi

7840210a

Corpus Christi, TX · 12 mi

783409b

Bayside, TX · 12 mi

7833610a

Aransas Pass, TX · 12 mi

783939b

Woodsboro, TX · 12 mi

783879b

Sinton, TX · 13 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78390

What planting zone is ZIP code 78390?

ZIP code 78390 (Taft, 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 Taft, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78390 is February 24; after March 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Welder Wildlife Foundation station.

When is the first frost in Taft, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78390 is December 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 283 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78390?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 30 – Jan 13 and set transplants outside around Mar 3 – Mar 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78390 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Taft, TX?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in August, with about 113 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78390 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Victoria at the center of ZIP 78390: clay, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 8.1 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Taft, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78390 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 Taft, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78390 is 13 h 55 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.