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

Planting zone for 79261 — Turkey, TX

ZIP code 79261 (Turkey, Hall County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 79261 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 4

First frostNov 3

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 Turkey, 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 Turkey, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 19

Growing season211 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 21 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Turkey, TX — 4 miles away, elevation 2,330 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 79261

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 8 – Sep 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 20 – Nov 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Nov 3) 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 79261 came on Feb 7 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15).

average
Feb 152026
Feb 7

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 Turkey, TX.

Soil in Turkey, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79261 is Sagerton — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.4%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sagerton 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 79261; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Turkey, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days102days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights85nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,379base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 28 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

Precipitation25 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall7 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: Turkey, TX (4 mi away); precipitation: Turkey, TX (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

Estelline, TX · 22 mi

792577b

Silverton, TX · 24 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79261

What planting zone is ZIP code 79261?

ZIP code 79261 (Turkey, 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 Turkey, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79261 is April 4; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Turkey station.

When is the first frost in Turkey, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79261 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 211 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79261?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 7 – Feb 21 and set transplants outside around Apr 11 – Apr 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79261 get?

About 25 inches of precipitation a year and 7 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Turkey station).

How hot do summers get in Turkey, 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 79261 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sagerton at the center of ZIP 79261: loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Turkey, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79261 came on Feb 7 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Turkey, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79261 is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.