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

Planting zone for 79258 — South Plains, TX

ZIP code 79258 (South Plains, Floyd County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 79258 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 13

First frostOct 28

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 South Plains, 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 South Plains, 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 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 14

Growing season197 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Silverton, TX — 16 miles away, elevation 3,281 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 79258

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 2 – Sep 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 13) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 79258 came on Feb 12 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20).

average
Feb 202026
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 South Plains, TX.

Soil in South Plains, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79258 is Pullman — clay loam, well drained.

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

pH7.3neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pullman clay loam, 0 to 1 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 79258; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in South Plains, TX

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days74days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights111nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,514base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 27 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation21.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall9 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: Silverton, TX (16 mi away); precipitation: Silverton, TX (16 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

792417b

Lockney, TX · 7 mi

792577b

Silverton, TX · 14 mi

Dougherty, TX · 25 mi

790727b

Plainview, TX · 26 mi

792507b

Petersburg, TX · 30 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79258

What planting zone is ZIP code 79258?

ZIP code 79258 (South Plains, 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 South Plains, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79258 is April 13; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Silverton station.

When is the first frost in South Plains, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79258 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 197 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79258?

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 79258 get?

About 21.7 inches of precipitation a year and 9 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Silverton station).

How hot do summers get in South Plains, TX?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 74 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79258 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pullman at the center of ZIP 79258: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.3 (neutral).

Did spring come early in South Plains, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79258 came on Feb 12 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in South Plains, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79258 is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 79258 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79258 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.