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

Planting zone for 78872 — La Pryor, TX

ZIP code 78872 (La Pryor, Zavala County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 10 and the first fall frost December 10.

Where ZIP 78872 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 10

First frostDec 10

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 La Pryor, 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 La Pryor, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsMarch 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 10median — 10% chance by Nov 19

Growing season307 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 20 and returns around December 26.

From the NOAA station Crystal City, TX — 16 miles away, elevation 581 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 78872

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 30 – Jan 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 2 – Dec 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 16 – Dec 30

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 2 – Dec 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 24 – Mar 10

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 15 – Oct 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 26 – Dec 31

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 10) and first fall frost (Dec 10) 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 78872 came on Jan 15 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24).

average
Jan 242026
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 La Pryor, TX.

Soil in La Pryor, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78872 is Chacon — 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 groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Chacon clay loam, 0 to 1 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 78872; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in La Pryor, TX

Summer high99 °Faverage high, August

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days154days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights8nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days8,406base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day13 h 59 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 18 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation22.9 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: Crystal City, TX (16 mi away); precipitation: La Pryor, TX (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

788399a

Crystal City, TX · 16 mi

788029a

Uvalde, TX · 17 mi

788299a

Batesville, TX · 18 mi

788529a

Eagle Pass, TX · 21 mi

788349a

Carrizo Springs, TX · 25 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78872

What planting zone is ZIP code 78872?

ZIP code 78872 (La Pryor, 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 La Pryor, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78872 is February 10; after March 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Crystal City station.

When is the first frost in La Pryor, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78872 is December 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 307 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78872?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 16 – Dec 30 and set transplants outside around Feb 17 – Mar 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78872 get?

About 22.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, La Pryor station).

How hot do summers get in La Pryor, TX?

The average high peaks at 99 °F in August, with about 154 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78872 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chacon at the center of ZIP 78872: clay loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in La Pryor, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78872 came on Jan 15 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in La Pryor, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78872 is 13 h 59 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.