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

Planting zone for 78624 — Fredericksburg, TX

ZIP code 78624 (Fredericksburg, Gillespie County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 78624 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 18

First frostNov 10

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Fredericksburg, 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 Fredericksburg, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 27

Growing season235 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 4 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Fredericksburg, TX — 4 miles away, elevation 1,686 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 78624

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 15 – Sep 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 18) and first fall frost (Nov 10) 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 78624 came on Jan 30 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

average
Jan 312026
Jan 30

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 8b in Texas

620 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Fredericksburg, TX.

Soil in Fredericksburg, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78624 is Denton — silty clay, well drained.

TextureSilty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importance, if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Denton silty clay, 3 to 5 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 78624; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fredericksburg, TX

Summer high94 °Faverage high, August

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days104days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights42nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,171base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 06 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 11 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation30.8 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: Fredericksburg, TX (4 mi away); precipitation: Fredericksburg 0.5 Sw, TX (2 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.

786758b

Willow City, TX · 14 mi

786718b

Stonewall, TX · 15 mi

Kerrville, TX · 25 mi

786318a

Harper, TX · 26 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78624

What planting zone is ZIP code 78624?

ZIP code 78624 (Fredericksburg, 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 Fredericksburg, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78624 is March 18; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fredericksburg station.

When is the first frost in Fredericksburg, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78624 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 235 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78624?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 21 – Feb 4 and set transplants outside around Mar 25 – Apr 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78624 get?

About 30.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fredericksburg 0.5 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Fredericksburg, TX?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in August, with about 104 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78624 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Denton at the center of ZIP 78624: silty clay, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Fredericksburg, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78624 came on Jan 30 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fredericksburg, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78624 is 14 h 06 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 78624 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 78624 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.