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

Planting zone for 78851 — Dryden, TX

ZIP code 78851 (Dryden, Terrell County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost November 28.

Where ZIP 78851 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 1

First frostNov 28

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 Dryden, 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 Dryden, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 28median — 10% chance by Nov 11

Growing season271 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 11 and returns around December 9.

From the NOAA station Dryden Terrell Co. Airport, TX — 20 miles away, elevation 2,323 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 78851

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 3 – Oct 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 14 – Dec 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 1) and first fall frost (Nov 28) 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 78851 came on Feb 6 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

average
Feb 12026
Feb 6

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 Dryden, TX.

Soil in Dryden, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78851 is Ector — very gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH8.0alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter7%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ector-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 60 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 78851; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dryden, TX

Summer high97 °Faverage high, July

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days135days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights22nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,972base 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

Precipitation9.8 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: Dryden Terrell Co. Airport, TX (20 mi away); precipitation: Dryden Terrell Co. Airport, TX (20 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

788718b

Langtry, TX · 28 mi

798488b

Sanderson, TX · 29 mi

797818b

Sheffield, TX · 29 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78851

What planting zone is ZIP code 78851?

ZIP code 78851 (Dryden, 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 Dryden, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78851 is March 1; after March 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dryden Terrell Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Dryden, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78851 is November 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 271 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78851?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 4 – Jan 18 and set transplants outside around Mar 8 – Mar 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78851 get?

About 9.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dryden Terrell Co. Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Dryden, TX?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in July, with about 135 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78851 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ector at the center of ZIP 78851: very gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 8.0 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Dryden, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78851 came on Feb 6 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dryden, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78851 is 14 h 06 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.