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

Planting zone for 79189 — Amarillo, TX

ZIP code 79189 (Amarillo, Potter County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 79189 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 13
First frostOct 27
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 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 13median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season195 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Amarillo, TX — 16 miles away, elevation 3,586 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 79189

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 23
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 13) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 79189 came on Feb 12 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25).

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 79189 is Acuff — 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 matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Acuff loam, 1 to 3 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 79189; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Amarillo, TX

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days72days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights108nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,554base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 33 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 46 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 52 °F, low 25 °F 52°25° JanFebruary: average high 56 °F, low 28 °F 56°28° FebMarch: average high 65 °F, low 35 °F 65°35° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 43 °F 72°43° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 53 °F 81°53° MayJune: average high 90 °F, low 62 °F 90°62° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 66 °F 93°66° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 65 °F 91°65° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 58 °F 84°58° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 45 °F 73°45° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 34 °F 61°34° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 26 °F 52°26° 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, TX (16 mi away); precipitation: Amarillo, TX (16 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

791057a
Amarillo, TX · <1 mi
791667a
Amarillo, TX · <1 mi
791687a
Amarillo, TX · <1 mi
791727a
Amarillo, TX · <1 mi
791747a
Amarillo, TX · <1 mi
791857a
Amarillo, TX · <1 mi
791177a
Amarillo, TX · 7 mi
791167a
Amarillo, TX · 12 mi

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

Questions about 79189

What planting zone is ZIP code 79189?

ZIP code 79189 (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 79189 is April 13; after April 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Amarillo station.

When is the first frost in Amarillo, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79189 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 195 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79189?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 16 – Mar 2 and set transplants outside around Apr 20 – May 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79189 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 93 °F in July, with about 72 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79189 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Acuff at the center of ZIP 79189: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Amarillo, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79189 came on Feb 12 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Amarillo, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79189 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.