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

Planting zone for 79088 — Tulia, TX

ZIP code 79088 (Tulia, 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 79088 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 Tulia, 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 Tulia, 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 — 4 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 79088

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 79088 came on Feb 12 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24).

average
Feb 242026
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 Tulia, TX.

Soil in Tulia, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79088 is Randall — clay, poorly drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.9neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter3.1%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Randall clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally ponded.

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 79088; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tulia, 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 28 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 50 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation20.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall11 inper year; 6 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: Tulia, TX (4 mi away); precipitation: Tulia, TX (4 mi away). 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.

Silverton, TX · 24 mi

790637a

Nazareth, TX · 24 mi

790727b

Plainview, TX · 28 mi

790157a

Canyon, TX · 28 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79088

What planting zone is ZIP code 79088?

ZIP code 79088 (Tulia, 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 Tulia, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79088 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 Tulia, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79088 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 189 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79088?

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 79088 get?

About 20.5 inches of precipitation a year and 11 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tulia station).

How hot do summers get in Tulia, 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 79088 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Randall at the center of ZIP 79088: clay, poorly drained, pH about 6.9 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Tulia, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79088 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 Tulia, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79088 is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.