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

Planting zone for 78657 — Horseshoe Bay, TX

ZIP code 78657 (Horseshoe Bay, Llano County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 78657 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 22

First frostNov 9

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 Horseshoe Bay, 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 Horseshoe Bay, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 25

Growing season235 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 6 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Johnson City 2n, TX — 16 miles away, elevation 1,139 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 78657

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 22) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 78657 came on Jan 30 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29).

average
Jan 292026
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 Horseshoe Bay, TX.

Soil in Horseshoe Bay, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78657 is Voca — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Voca gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 3 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 78657; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Horseshoe Bay, TX

Summer high97 °Faverage high, August

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days111days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights42nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,614base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 07 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 10 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation32.4 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: Johnson City 2n, TX (16 mi away); precipitation: Horseshoe Bay 2.7 S, TX (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

786638b

Round Mountain, TX · 9 mi

786398b

Kingsland, TX · 10 mi

786548b

Marble Falls, TX · 10 mi

786368b

Johnson City, TX · 15 mi

786098b

Buchanan Dam, TX · 15 mi

786698b

Spicewood, TX · 16 mi

786118b

Burnet, TX · 19 mi

786758b

Willow City, TX · 21 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78657

What planting zone is ZIP code 78657?

ZIP code 78657 (Horseshoe Bay, 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 Horseshoe Bay, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78657 is March 22; after April 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Johnson City 2n station.

When is the first frost in Horseshoe Bay, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78657 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 235 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78657?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 25 – Feb 8 and set transplants outside around Mar 29 – Apr 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78657 get?

About 32.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Horseshoe Bay 2.7 S station).

How hot do summers get in Horseshoe Bay, TX?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in August, with about 111 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78657 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Voca at the center of ZIP 78657: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Horseshoe Bay, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78657 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 Horseshoe Bay, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78657 is 14 h 07 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.