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

Planting zone for 79243 — Mcadoo, TX

ZIP code 79243 (Mcadoo, Dickens County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost November 5.

Where ZIP 79243 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 5

First frostNov 5

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 Mcadoo, 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 Mcadoo, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 5median — 10% chance by Oct 20

Growing season213 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 22 and returns around November 15.

From the NOAA station Crosbyton, TX — 15 miles away, elevation 3,009 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 79243

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 10 – Sep 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 22 – Nov 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Nov 5) 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 79243 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 Mcadoo, TX.

Soil in Mcadoo, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79243 is Lofton — clay loam, moderately well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

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

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lofton clay loam, 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 79243; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mcadoo, TX

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days89days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights89nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,958base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 24 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 54 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation23.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Crosbyton, TX (15 mi away); precipitation: Roaring Springs, TX (13 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

792317b

Dougherty, TX · 12 mi

793227b

Crosbyton, TX · 13 mi

792567b

Roaring Springs, TX · 14 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79243

What planting zone is ZIP code 79243?

ZIP code 79243 (Mcadoo, 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 Mcadoo, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79243 is April 5; after April 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Crosbyton station.

When is the first frost in Mcadoo, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79243 is November 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 213 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79243?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79243 get?

About 23.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Roaring Springs station).

How hot do summers get in Mcadoo, TX?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 89 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79243 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lofton at the center of ZIP 79243: clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Mcadoo, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79243 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 Mcadoo, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79243 is 14 h 24 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.