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

Planting zone for 78946 — Ledbetter, TX

ZIP code 78946 (Ledbetter, Fayette County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 78946 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 18

First frostNov 9

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 Ledbetter, 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 Ledbetter, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 26

Growing season238 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 5 and returns around November 23.

From the NOAA station Somerville Dam, TX — 17 miles away, elevation 262 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 78946

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 18) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 78946 came on Jan 15 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

average
Jan 262026
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).

Soil in Ledbetter, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78946 is Burlewash — gravelly fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Burlewash gravelly fine sandy loam, 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 78946; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ledbetter, TX

Summer high98 °Faverage high, August

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days125days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights37nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,621base 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

Precipitation42.2 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: Somerville Dam, TX (17 mi away); precipitation: Carmine 3.1 Wnw, TX (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Round Top, TX · 10 mi

789609a

Warda, TX · 11 mi

789549a

Round Top, TX · 11 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78946

What planting zone is ZIP code 78946?

ZIP code 78946 (Ledbetter, 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 Ledbetter, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78946 is March 18; after April 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Somerville Dam station.

When is the first frost in Ledbetter, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78946 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 238 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78946?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 21 – Feb 4 and set transplants outside around Mar 25 – Apr 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78946 get?

About 42.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carmine 3.1 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Ledbetter, TX?

The average high peaks at 98 °F in August, with about 125 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78946 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Burlewash at the center of ZIP 78946: gravelly fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Ledbetter, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78946 came on Jan 15 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ledbetter, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78946 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 78946 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 78946 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.