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

Planting zone for 78642 — Liberty Hill, TX

ZIP code 78642 (Liberty Hill, Williamson County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost November 29.

Where ZIP 78642 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 2

First frostNov 29

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 Liberty Hill, 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 Liberty Hill, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 29median — 10% chance by Nov 10

Growing season274 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 16 and returns around December 13.

From the NOAA station Austin 33 Nw, TX — 10 miles away, elevation 1,362 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 78642

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 4 – Oct 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 15 – Dec 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 2) and first fall frost (Nov 29) 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 78642 came on Jan 30 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

average
Feb 12026
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 Liberty Hill, TX.

Soil in Liberty Hill, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78642 is Eckrant — cobbly clay, well drained.

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

pH7.3neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter6%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Eckrant cobbly clay, 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 78642; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Liberty Hill, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, August

Winter low40 °Faverage low, January

Hot days102days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights20nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,738base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 08 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 09 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation33.8 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: Austin 33 Nw, TX (10 mi away); precipitation: Liberty Hill 1.2 N, TX (within 1 mile). 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.

Georgetown, TX · 10 mi

786338b

Georgetown, TX · 11 mi

765278b

Florence, TX · 13 mi

786139a

Cedar Park, TX · 15 mi

786309a

Cedar Park, TX · 15 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78642

What planting zone is ZIP code 78642?

ZIP code 78642 (Liberty Hill, 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 Liberty Hill, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78642 is March 2; after March 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Austin 33 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Liberty Hill, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78642 is November 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 274 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78642?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 5 – Jan 19 and set transplants outside around Mar 9 – Mar 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78642 get?

About 33.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Liberty Hill 1.2 N station).

How hot do summers get in Liberty Hill, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in August, with about 102 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78642 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eckrant at the center of ZIP 78642: cobbly clay, well drained, pH about 7.3 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Liberty Hill, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78642 came on Jan 30 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Liberty Hill, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78642 is 14 h 08 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.