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

Planting zone for 78620 — Dripping Springs, TX

ZIP code 78620 (Dripping Springs, Hays County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost November 13.

Where ZIP 78620 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostMar 17
First frostNov 13
2012 zone8b

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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Dripping Springs, 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 Dripping Springs, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 13median — 10% chance by Oct 29
Growing season242 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 4 and returns around November 26.

From the NOAA station Dripping Springs 6 E, TX — 9 miles away, elevation 1,083 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 78620

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 18 – Oct 2
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 30 – Dec 4
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 17) and first fall frost (Nov 13) 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 78620 came on Jan 30 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29).

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).

Soil in Dripping Springs, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78620 is Brackett — paragravelly clay loam, well drained.

TextureParagravelly clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Brackett-Rock outcrop-Comfort complex, 1 to 8 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 78620; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dripping Springs, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, August
Winter low39 °Faverage low, January
Hot days106days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights29nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,729base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 06 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 12 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation36 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 39 °F 60°39° JanFebruary: average high 65 °F, low 43 °F 65°43° FebMarch: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° MarApril: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 70 °F 91°70° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 72 °F 94°72° JulAugust: average high 95 °F, low 72 °F 95°72° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 66 °F 89°66° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 48 °F 69°48° NovDecember: average high 61 °F, low 41 °F 61°41° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 2.37 in precipitation 2.4 JanFebruary: 2.00 in precipitation 2.0 FebMarch: 2.71 in precipitation 2.7 MarApril: 2.53 in precipitation 2.5 AprMay: 5.04 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 JunJuly: 2.11 in precipitation 2.1 JulAugust: 2.72 in precipitation 2.7 AugSeptember: 3.68 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 4.09 in precipitation 4.1 OctNovember: 2.99 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 2.40 in precipitation 2.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Dripping Springs 6 E, TX (9 mi away); precipitation: Dripping Springs 6.2 Wsw, TX (6 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.

786198b
Driftwood, TX · 10 mi
787389a
Austin, TX · 10 mi
787378b
Austin, TX · 11 mi
787369a
Austin, TX · 11 mi
786768b
Wimberley, TX · 13 mi
786679a
San Marcos, TX · 14 mi
786698b
Spicewood, TX · 15 mi
787399a
Austin, TX · 15 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78620

What planting zone is ZIP code 78620?

ZIP code 78620 (Dripping Springs, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Dripping Springs, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78620 is March 17; after April 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dripping Springs 6 E station.

When is the first frost in Dripping Springs, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78620 is November 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 242 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78620?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 20 – Feb 3 and set transplants outside around Mar 24 – Apr 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78620 get?

About 36 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dripping Springs 6.2 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Dripping Springs, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in August, with about 106 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78620 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brackett at the center of ZIP 78620: paragravelly clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Dripping Springs, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78620 came on Jan 30 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dripping Springs, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78620 is 14 h 06 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.