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

Planting zone for 79079 — Shamrock, TX

ZIP code 79079 (Shamrock, Wheeler County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 79079 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 9
First frostOct 30
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 Shamrock, 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 Shamrock, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season202 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Shamrock #2, TX — within 1 mile, elevation 2,359 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 79079

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 9) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 79079 came on Feb 12 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24).

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 Shamrock, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79079 is Paducah — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Paducah loam, 3 to 5 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 79079; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Shamrock, TX

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days82days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights97nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,634base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 32 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 47 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation25.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall9 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 50 °F, low 24 °F 50°24° JanFebruary: average high 55 °F, low 27 °F 55°27° FebMarch: average high 64 °F, low 35 °F 64°35° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 43 °F 72°43° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 53 °F 81°53° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 63 °F 89°63° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 68 °F 94°68° JulAugust: average high 93 °F, low 66 °F 93°66° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 58 °F 85°58° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 45 °F 73°45° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 34 °F 61°34° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 26 °F 51°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.84 in precipitation, 2.7 in snowfall 0.8❄3 JanFebruary: 0.90 in precipitation, 2.1 in snowfall 0.9❄2 FebMarch: 1.70 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 1.7❄2 MarApril: 2.50 in precipitation 2.5 AprMay: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 JunJuly: 2.41 in precipitation 2.4 JulAugust: 2.80 in precipitation 2.8 AugSeptember: 2.42 in precipitation 2.4 SepOctober: 2.31 in precipitation 2.3 OctNovember: 1.29 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 1.3❄1 NovDecember: 1.03 in precipitation, 1.9 in snowfall 1.0❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Shamrock #2, TX (within 1 mile); precipitation: Shamrock #2, TX (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

790777b
Samnorwood, TX · 11 mi
736687b
Texola, OK · 15 mi
790967a
Wheeler, TX · 18 mi
790577a
Mclean, TX · 21 mi
792517b
Quail, TX · 22 mi
736457a
Erick, OK · 22 mi
790957b
Wellington, TX · 22 mi
736667b
Sweetwater, OK · 23 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79079

What planting zone is ZIP code 79079?

ZIP code 79079 (Shamrock, 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 Shamrock, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79079 is April 9; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shamrock #2 station.

When is the first frost in Shamrock, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79079 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 202 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79079?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 12 – Feb 26 and set transplants outside around Apr 16 – Apr 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79079 get?

About 25.3 inches of precipitation a year and 9 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shamrock #2 station).

How hot do summers get in Shamrock, TX?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 82 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79079 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Paducah at the center of ZIP 79079: loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Shamrock, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79079 came on Feb 12 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Shamrock, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79079 is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 79079 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79079 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.