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

Planting zone for 78744 — Austin, TX

ZIP code 78744 (Austin, Travis County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost November 16.

Where ZIP 78744 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 12
First frostNov 16
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 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 16median — 10% chance by Nov 1
Growing season252 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 27 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Austin Bergstrom Airport, TX — 2 miles away, elevation 479 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 78744

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 21 – Oct 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 2 – Dec 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 12) and first fall frost (Nov 16) 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 78744 came on Jan 29 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

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 9a in Texas

640 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 72

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °FArizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona walnut50 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 141

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °FAmerican snowbell10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −16 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 208

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican century plant6 ft · blooms indeterminate · high shade tolerance · to 12 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 196

alkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °FArizona cottontop4 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °FArizona fescue2 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona threeawn2 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −3 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °F

Vines 14

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Austin, TX.

Soil in Austin, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78744 is Eckrant — very stony clay, well drained.

TextureVery stony clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.6slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Eckrant very stony clay, 5 to 18 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 78744; 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 low38 °Faverage low, January
Hot days124days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights33nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days7,053base 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
Precipitation35.6 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 63 °F, low 38 °F 63°38° JanFebruary: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° FebMarch: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° MarApril: average high 80 °F, low 56 °F 80°56° AprMay: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° MayJune: average high 93 °F, low 72 °F 93°72° JunJuly: average high 96 °F, low 73 °F 96°73° JulAugust: average high 97 °F, low 73 °F 97°73° AugSeptember: average high 91 °F, low 67 °F 91°67° SepOctober: average high 83 °F, low 57 °F 83°57° OctNovember: average high 72 °F, low 47 °F 72°47° NovDecember: average high 64 °F, low 40 °F 64°40° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 JanFebruary: 1.89 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.9 FebMarch: 2.90 in precipitation 2.9 MarApril: 2.39 in precipitation 2.4 AprMay: 5.00 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 JunJuly: 2.16 in precipitation 2.2 JulAugust: 2.47 in precipitation 2.5 AugSeptember: 3.03 in precipitation 3.0 SepOctober: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 OctNovember: 2.68 in precipitation 2.7 NovDecember: 2.61 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 2.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Austin Bergstrom Airport, TX (2 mi away); precipitation: Austin Bergstrom Airport, TX (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

787419a
Austin, TX · 4 mi
787479a
Austin, TX · 4 mi
787199a
Austin, TX · 4 mi
787459a
Austin, TX · 5 mi
787049a
Austin, TX · 5 mi
787029a
Austin, TX · 6 mi
787429a
Austin, TX · 6 mi
787489a
Austin, TX · 6 mi

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

Questions about 78744

What planting zone is ZIP code 78744?

ZIP code 78744 (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 78744 is March 12; after April 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Austin Bergstrom Airport station.

When is the first frost in Austin, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78744 is November 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 252 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78744?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 15 – Jan 29 and set transplants outside around Mar 19 – Apr 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78744 get?

About 35.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Austin Bergstrom Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Austin, TX?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in August, with about 124 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78744 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eckrant at the center of ZIP 78744: very stony clay, well drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Austin, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78744 came on Jan 29 in 2026, about the same as 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 78744 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 78744 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 78744 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.