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

Planting zone for 79043 — Hart, TX

ZIP code 79043 (Hart, Castro County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 79043 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 22

First frostOct 21

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 Hart, 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 Hart, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 8

Growing season182 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Hart, TX — within 1 mile, elevation 3,665 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 79043

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 79043 came on Feb 14 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25).

average
Feb 252026
Feb 14

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 Hart, TX.

Soil in Hart, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79043 is Olton — clay loam, well drained.

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

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.8%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Olton 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 79043; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hart, TX

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days65days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights124nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,816base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 27 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 51 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation17.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall6 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: Hart, TX (within 1 mile); precipitation: Hart, TX (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Springlake, TX · 13 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79043

What planting zone is ZIP code 79043?

ZIP code 79043 (Hart, 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 Hart, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79043 is April 22; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hart station.

When is the first frost in Hart, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79043 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 182 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79043?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79043 get?

About 17.7 inches of precipitation a year and 6 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hart station).

How hot do summers get in Hart, TX?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 65 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79043 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Olton at the center of ZIP 79043: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Hart, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79043 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hart, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79043 is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.