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

Planting zone for 78860 — El Indio, TX

ZIP code 78860 (El Indio, Maverick County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost November 22.

Where ZIP 78860 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 5

First frostNov 22

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 El Indio, 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 El Indio, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 22median — 10% chance by Nov 6

Growing season265 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 20 and returns around December 5.

From the NOAA station Carrizo Springs 3s, TX — 22 miles away, elevation 614 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 78860

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 27 – Oct 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 8 – Dec 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 5) and first fall frost (Nov 22) 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 78860 came on Jan 15 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23).

average
Jan 232026
Jan 15

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 El Indio, TX.

Soil in El Indio, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78860 is Zapata — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

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 association, undulating.

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 78860; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in El Indio, TX

Summer high100 °Faverage high, August

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days153days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights25nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,759base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 57 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 20 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation19.6 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: Carrizo Springs 3s, TX (22 mi away); precipitation: Carrizo Springs 3s, TX (22 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.

788349a

Carrizo Springs, TX · 24 mi

788539a

Eagle Pass, TX · 24 mi

Crystal City, TX · 37 mi

788529a

Eagle Pass, TX · 37 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78860

What planting zone is ZIP code 78860?

ZIP code 78860 (El Indio, 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 El Indio, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78860 is March 5; after March 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carrizo Springs 3s station.

When is the first frost in El Indio, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78860 is November 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 265 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78860?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 8 – Jan 22 and set transplants outside around Mar 12 – Mar 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78860 get?

About 19.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carrizo Springs 3s station).

How hot do summers get in El Indio, TX?

The average high peaks at 100 °F in August, with about 153 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78860 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Zapata at the center of ZIP 78860: loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in El Indio, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78860 came on Jan 15 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in El Indio, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78860 is 13 h 57 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.