Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 79041 — Hale Center, TX

ZIP code 79041 (Hale Center, Hale County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 79041 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 6

First frostNov 1

2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hale Center, 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 Hale Center, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 17

Growing season206 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Olton, TX — 15 miles away, elevation 3,642 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 79041

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 79041 came on Feb 12 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20).

average
Feb 202026
Feb 12

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 7b in Texas

579 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. 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 Hale Center, TX.

Soil in Hale Center, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79041 is Pullman — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.3neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pullman 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 79041; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hale Center, TX

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days67days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights109nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,429base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 25 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 53 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation19 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall8 inper year; 4 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Olton, TX (15 mi away); precipitation: Olton, TX (15 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

790217b

Cotton Center, TX · 5 mi

790737b

Plainview, TX · 6 mi

793117b

Abernathy, TX · 13 mi

790727b

Plainview, TX · 14 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79041

What planting zone is ZIP code 79041?

ZIP code 79041 (Hale Center, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Hale Center, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79041 is April 6; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Olton station.

When is the first frost in Hale Center, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79041 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 206 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79041?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79041 get?

About 19 inches of precipitation a year and 8 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Olton station).

How hot do summers get in Hale Center, TX?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 67 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79041 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pullman at the center of ZIP 79041: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.3 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Hale Center, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79041 came on Feb 12 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hale Center, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79041 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 79041 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79041 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.