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

Planting zone for 78960 — Warda, TX

ZIP code 78960 (Warda, Fayette County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost November 25.

Where ZIP 78960 is

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 4
First frostNov 25
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 Warda, 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 Warda, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 25median — 10% chance by Nov 5
Growing season267 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 15 and returns around December 10.

From the NOAA station La Grange, TX — 11 miles away, elevation 358 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 78960

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 30 – Oct 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 11 – Dec 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 4) and first fall frost (Nov 25) 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 78960 came on Jan 15 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

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 Warda, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 78960 is Navidad — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Navidad fine sandy loam, occasionally flooded.

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 78960; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Warda, TX

Summer high97 °Faverage high, July
Winter low40 °Faverage low, January
Hot days121days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights19nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days7,228base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 05 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
Precipitation41.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 62 °F, low 40 °F 62°40° JanFebruary: average high 65 °F, low 44 °F 65°44° FebMarch: average high 72 °F, low 50 °F 72°50° MarApril: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° AprMay: average high 86 °F, low 66 °F 86°66° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 72 °F 92°72° JunJuly: average high 97 °F, low 74 °F 97°74° JulAugust: average high 97 °F, low 74 °F 97°74° AugSeptember: average high 91 °F, low 69 °F 91°69° SepOctober: average high 83 °F, low 59 °F 83°59° OctNovember: average high 71 °F, low 49 °F 71°49° NovDecember: average high 64 °F, low 42 °F 64°42° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 JanFebruary: 2.38 in precipitation 2.4 FebMarch: 3.06 in precipitation 3.1 MarApril: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 4.61 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 JunJuly: 2.39 in precipitation 2.4 JulAugust: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 OctNovember: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 2.86 in precipitation 2.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: La Grange, TX (11 mi away); precipitation: La Grange 7.8 Nne, TX (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

789429a
Giddings, TX · 6 mi
789529a
Plum, TX · 10 mi
789459a
La Grange, TX · 11 mi
789469a
Ledbetter, TX · 11 mi
789549a
Round Top, TX · 12 mi
789619a
Round Top, TX · 12 mi
789329a
Carmine, TX · 13 mi
789639a
West Point, TX · 13 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 78960

What planting zone is ZIP code 78960?

ZIP code 78960 (Warda, 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 Warda, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 78960 is March 4; after March 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, La Grange station.

When is the first frost in Warda, TX?

The median first fall frost near 78960 is November 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 267 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 78960?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 7 – Jan 21 and set transplants outside around Mar 11 – Mar 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 78960 get?

About 41.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, La Grange 7.8 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Warda, TX?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in July, with about 121 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 78960 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Navidad at the center of ZIP 78960: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Warda, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 78960 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 Warda, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 78960 is 14 h 05 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 78960 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 78960 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.