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

Planting zone for 78843 — Laughlin Afb, TX

ZIP code 78843 (Laughlin Afb, Val Verde County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 16 and the first fall frost December 3.

Where ZIP 78843 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 frostFeb 16

First frostDec 3

2012 zone9a

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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Laughlin Afb, 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 Laughlin Afb, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostDecember 3median — 10% chance by Nov 14

Growing season293 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 24 and returns around December 18.

From the NOAA station Del Rio Intl Airport, TX — 9 miles away, elevation 1,001 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 78843

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 8 – Dec 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 8 – Dec 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 2 – Mar 16

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 8 – Oct 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 19 – Dec 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 16) and first fall frost (Dec 3) 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 78843 came on Feb 2 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

average
Jan 262026
Feb 2

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.

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 Laughlin Afb, TX.

Soil in Laughlin Afb, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78843 is Zapata — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Zapata-Vinegarroon complex, 1 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 78843; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Laughlin Afb, TX

Summer high101 °Faverage high, August

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days141days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights12nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days8,820base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 01 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 16 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation19.8 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: Del Rio Intl Airport, TX (9 mi away); precipitation: Del Rio Intl Airport, TX (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Brackettville, TX · 24 mi

Eagle Pass, TX · 44 mi

788539a

Eagle Pass, TX · 50 mi

788378b

Comstock, TX · 50 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78843

What planting zone is ZIP code 78843?

ZIP code 78843 (Laughlin Afb, 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 Laughlin Afb, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78843 is February 16; after March 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Del Rio Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Laughlin Afb, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78843 is December 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 293 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78843?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 22 – Jan 5 and set transplants outside around Feb 23 – Mar 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78843 get?

About 19.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Del Rio Intl Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Laughlin Afb, TX?

The average high peaks at 101 °F in August, with about 141 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78843 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Zapata at the center of ZIP 78843: clay loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Laughlin Afb, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78843 came on Feb 2 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Laughlin Afb, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78843 is 14 h 01 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.