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

Planting zone for 79201 — Childress, TX

ZIP code 79201 (Childress, Childress County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 79201 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 frostMar 31

First frostNov 7

2012 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Childress, 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 Childress, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 22

Growing season222 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 15 and returns around November 18.

From the NOAA station Childress Municipal Airport, TX — 4 miles away, elevation 1,952 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 79201

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 12 – Sep 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 79201 came on Feb 9 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16).

average
Feb 162026
Feb 9

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 7b in Texas

579 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. 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 Childress, TX.

Soil in Childress, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79201 is Woodward — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Woodward-Quinlan complex, 5 to 12 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 79201; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Childress, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days102days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights71nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,594base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 27 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 51 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation23.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall6 inper year; 4 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: Childress Municipal Airport, TX (4 mi away); precipitation: Childress Municipal Airport, TX (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

792597b

Tell, TX · 7 mi

792337b

Estelline, TX · 11 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79201

What planting zone is ZIP code 79201?

ZIP code 79201 (Childress, 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 Childress, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79201 is March 31; after April 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Childress Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Childress, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79201 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 222 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79201?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79201 get?

About 23.7 inches of precipitation a year and 6 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Childress Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Childress, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 102 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79201 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Woodward at the center of ZIP 79201: loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Childress, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79201 came on Feb 9 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Childress, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79201 is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.