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

Planting zone for 79042 — Happy, TX

ZIP code 79042 (Happy, Swisher County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 79042 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostApr 18

First frostOct 26

2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Happy, 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 Happy, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsMay 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 12

Growing season189 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Tulia, TX — 16 miles away, elevation 3,481 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 79042

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 2 – May 16

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 31 – Sep 14

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 18) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 79042 came on Feb 12 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26).

average
Feb 262026
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 7a in Texas

570 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Happy, TX.

Soil in Happy, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79042 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, 1 to 3 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 79042; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Happy, TX

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, January

Hot days74days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights119nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,176base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 49 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation18.3 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: Tulia, TX (16 mi away); precipitation: Happy 4nw, TX (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79042

What planting zone is ZIP code 79042?

ZIP code 79042 (Happy, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Happy, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79042 is April 18; after May 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tulia station.

When is the first frost in Happy, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79042 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 189 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79042?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 21 – Mar 7 and set transplants outside around Apr 25 – May 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79042 get?

About 18.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Happy 4nw station).

How hot do summers get in Happy, TX?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 74 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79042 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pullman at the center of ZIP 79042: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.3 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Happy, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79042 came on Feb 12 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Happy, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79042 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.