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

Planting zone for 78701 — Austin, TX

Q: What planting zone is ZIP code 78701?

ZIP code 78701 (Austin, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

Q: When is the last frost in Austin, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78701 is March 10; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Austin 6s station.

Q: When is the first frost in Austin, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78701 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 252 days.

Q: When should I plant tomatoes in 78701?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 13 – Jan 27 and set transplants outside around Mar 17 – Mar 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

Q: How much rain and snow does 78701 get?

About 36.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Austin-Camp Mabry station).

Q: How hot do summers get in Austin, TX?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in August, with about 121 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Q: Did spring come early in Austin, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78701 came on Jan 20 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

Q: What kind of onions grow in Austin, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78701 is 14 h 06 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Q: Did the zone for 78701 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 78701 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.

ZIP code 78701 (Austin, Travis County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost November 17.

Where ZIP 78701 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostMar 10

First frostNov 17

2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Austin, 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 Austin, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season252 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 28 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Austin 6s, TX — 3 miles away, elevation 571 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 78701

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 22 – Oct 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 3 – Dec 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 10) and first fall frost (Nov 17) 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 78701 came on Jan 20 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

average
Jan 272026
Jan 20

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 Austin, TX

The center of ZIP 78701 is mapped as Urban land, 0 to 6 percent slopes: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 78701; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Austin, TX

Summer high97 °Faverage high, August

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days121days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights29nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,708base 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

Precipitation36.3 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 6s, TX (3 mi away); precipitation: Austin-Camp Mabry, TX (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

All 73 ZIP codes in Austin → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78701

What planting zone is ZIP code 78701?

ZIP code 78701 (Austin, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Austin, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78701 is March 10; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Austin 6s station.

When is the first frost in Austin, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78701 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 252 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78701?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 13 – Jan 27 and set transplants outside around Mar 17 – Mar 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78701 get?

About 36.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Austin-Camp Mabry station).

How hot do summers get in Austin, TX?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in August, with about 121 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Austin, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78701 came on Jan 20 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Austin, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78701 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 78701 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 78701 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.