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

Planting zone for 79078 — Sanford, TX

ZIP code 79078 (Sanford, Hutchinson County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 79078 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 20

First frostOct 25

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 Sanford, 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 Sanford, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 11

Growing season187 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Sanford Dam, TX — within 1 mile, elevation 2,936 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 79078

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 4 – May 18

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 20) and first fall frost (Oct 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 79078 came on Feb 10 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23).

average
Feb 232026
Feb 10

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 Sanford, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79078 is Burson — stony loam, well drained.

TextureStony loama good balance for most vegetables

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.55%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Burson stony loam, steep.

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 79078; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sanford, TX

Summer high97 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days94days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights103nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,609base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 44 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation19.2 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: Sanford Dam, TX (within 1 mile); precipitation: Sanford Dam, TX (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

Masterson, TX · 24 mi

790687a

Panhandle, TX · 26 mi

791057a

Amarillo, TX · 28 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79078

What planting zone is ZIP code 79078?

ZIP code 79078 (Sanford, 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 Sanford, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79078 is April 20; after May 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sanford Dam station.

When is the first frost in Sanford, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79078 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 187 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79078?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 23 – Mar 9 and set transplants outside around Apr 27 – May 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79078 get?

About 19.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sanford Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Sanford, TX?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in July, with about 94 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79078 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Burson at the center of ZIP 79078: stony loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Sanford, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79078 came on Feb 10 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sanford, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79078 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.