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

Planting zone for 79346 — Morton, TX

ZIP code 79346 (Morton, Cochran County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 79346 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 11

First frostOct 31

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 Morton, 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 Morton, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 16

Growing season199 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 7.

From the NOAA station Morton, TX — 6 miles away, elevation 3,767 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 79346

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 79346 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 Morton, TX.

Soil in Morton, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79346 is Patricia — loamy fine sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH8.1alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Patricia and Amarillo loamy fine sands, 0 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 79346; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Morton, TX

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days85days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights102nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,608base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 23 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 55 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation17.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall6 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: Morton, TX (6 mi away); precipitation: Morton, TX (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

793147b

Bledsoe, TX · 12 mi

793797b

Whiteface, TX · 14 mi

Milnesand, NM · 23 mi

793727b

Sundown, TX · 24 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79346

What planting zone is ZIP code 79346?

ZIP code 79346 (Morton, 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 Morton, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79346 is April 11; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morton station.

When is the first frost in Morton, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79346 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 199 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79346?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79346 get?

About 17.6 inches of precipitation a year and 6 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morton station).

How hot do summers get in Morton, TX?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 85 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79346 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Patricia at the center of ZIP 79346: loamy fine sand, well drained, pH about 8.1 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Morton, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79346 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 Morton, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79346 is 14 h 23 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 79346 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79346 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.