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

Planting zone for 79250 — Petersburg, TX

ZIP code 79250 (Petersburg, Hale County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 79250 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 9

First frostNov 1

2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Petersburg, 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 Petersburg, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 18

Growing season204 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Abernathy, TX — 15 miles away, elevation 3,370 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 79250

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 9) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 79250 came on Feb 12 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

average
Feb 182026
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 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 Petersburg, TX.

Soil in Petersburg, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79250 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 79250; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Petersburg, TX

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days73days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights106nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,598base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 25 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

Precipitation19.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall7 inper year; 3 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: Abernathy, TX (15 mi away); precipitation: Abernathy, TX (15 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

793297b

Idalou, TX · 13 mi

793117b

Abernathy, TX · 16 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79250

What planting zone is ZIP code 79250?

ZIP code 79250 (Petersburg, 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 Petersburg, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79250 is April 9; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Abernathy station.

When is the first frost in Petersburg, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79250 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79250?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 12 – Feb 26 and set transplants outside around Apr 16 – Apr 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79250 get?

About 19.2 inches of precipitation a year and 7 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Abernathy station).

How hot do summers get in Petersburg, TX?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 73 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79250 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lofton at the center of ZIP 79250: clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Petersburg, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79250 came on Feb 12 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Petersburg, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79250 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 79250 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79250 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.