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

Planting zone for 79159 — Amarillo, TX

ZIP code 79159 (Amarillo, Potter County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 79159 is

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 15
First frostOct 29
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Amarillo, 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 Amarillo, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 16
Growing season196 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Amarillo 7ene, TX — 7 miles away, elevation 3,589 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 79159

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 79159 came on Feb 11 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 28).

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.

Trees 66

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °FArizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona walnut50 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 123

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °FAmerican snowbell10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −16 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 196

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Grasses 164

alkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °FArizona cottontop4 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °FArizona fescue2 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona threeawn2 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −3 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °F

Vines 14

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Amarillo, TX.

Soil in Amarillo, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79159 is Pep — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pep-Urban land complex.

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 79159; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Amarillo, TX

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days82days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights117nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,054base 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
Precipitation19.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall17 inper year; 10 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 51 °F, low 22 °F 51°22° JanFebruary: average high 55 °F, low 25 °F 55°25° FebMarch: average high 63 °F, low 32 °F 63°32° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 40 °F 70°40° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 50 °F 79°50° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 60 °F 88°60° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 65 °F 92°65° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 64 °F 90°64° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 56 °F 84°56° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 43 °F 73°43° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 31 °F 61°31° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 23 °F 51°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.71 in precipitation, 4 in snowfall 0.7❄4 JanFebruary: 0.53 in precipitation, 3.5 in snowfall 0.5❄4 FebMarch: 1.27 in precipitation, 1.9 in snowfall 1.3❄2 MarApril: 1.45 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 1.4❄1 AprMay: 2.27 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 2.3 MayJune: 2.85 in precipitation 2.9 JunJuly: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 JulAugust: 2.86 in precipitation 2.9 AugSeptember: 1.69 in precipitation 1.7 SepOctober: 1.75 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 1.8❄1 OctNovember: 0.75 in precipitation, 2.6 in snowfall 0.8❄3 NovDecember: 0.71 in precipitation, 3.8 in snowfall 0.7❄4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Amarillo 7ene, TX (7 mi away); precipitation: Amarillo, TX (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

791017a
Amarillo, TX · 1 mi
791027a
Amarillo, TX · 2 mi
791077a
Amarillo, TX · 2 mi
791207a
Amarillo, TX · 2 mi
791047a
Amarillo, TX · 3 mi
791037a
Amarillo, TX · 3 mi
791067a
Amarillo, TX · 4 mi
791097a
Amarillo, TX · 5 mi

All 26 ZIP codes in Amarillo → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79159

What planting zone is ZIP code 79159?

ZIP code 79159 (Amarillo, 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 Amarillo, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79159 is April 15; after April 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Amarillo 7ene station.

When is the first frost in Amarillo, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79159 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 196 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79159?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79159 get?

About 19.7 inches of precipitation a year and 17 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Amarillo station).

How hot do summers get in Amarillo, TX?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 82 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79159 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pep at the center of ZIP 79159: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Amarillo, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79159 came on Feb 11 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Amarillo, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79159 is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 79159 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79159 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.