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

Planting zone for 79366 — Ransom Canyon, TX

ZIP code 79366 (Ransom Canyon, Lubbock County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 79366 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostMar 24
First frostNov 11
2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ransom Canyon, 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 Ransom Canyon, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 28
Growing season233 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Lubbock WFO, TX — 11 miles away, elevation 3,235 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 79366

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Mar 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 16 – Sep 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 24) and first fall frost (Nov 11) 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 79366 came on Feb 10 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16).

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 8a in Texas

601 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 70

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °FArizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona walnut50 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 133

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °FAmerican snowbell10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −16 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 200

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Grasses 177

alkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °FArizona cottontop4 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °FArizona fescue2 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona threeawn2 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −3 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °F

Vines 14

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Ransom Canyon, TX.

Soil in Ransom Canyon, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79366 is Berda — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH8.1alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.9%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Berda-Potter association, 10 to 30 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 79366; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ransom Canyon, TX

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days91days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights61nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,236base 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
Precipitation18.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall7 inper year

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 55 °F, low 30 °F 55°30° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 32 °F 59°32° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 39 °F 68°39° MarApril: average high 76 °F, low 48 °F 76°48° AprMay: average high 84 °F, low 57 °F 84°57° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 66 °F 91°66° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 70 °F 93°70° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 69 °F 91°69° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 50 °F 76°50° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 38 °F 64°38° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 30 °F 55°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.70 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 0.7❄2 JanFebruary: 0.68 in precipitation, 1 in snowfall 0.7❄1 FebMarch: 0.89 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 0.9 MarApril: 1.52 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.5 AprMay: 2.69 in precipitation 2.7 MayJune: 2.55 in precipitation 2.5 JunJuly: 2.19 in precipitation 2.2 JulAugust: 1.91 in precipitation 1.9 AugSeptember: 2.51 in precipitation 2.5 SepOctober: 1.13 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.1 OctNovember: 0.84 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 0.8❄1 NovDecember: 0.75 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 0.8❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lubbock WFO, TX (11 mi away); precipitation: Ransom Canyon, TX (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

794047b
Lubbock, TX · 6 mi
793648a
Slaton, TX · 7 mi
794037b
Lubbock, TX · 9 mi
794307b
Lubbock, TX · 10 mi
794527b
Lubbock, TX · 10 mi
794907b
Lubbock, TX · 10 mi
794917b
Lubbock, TX · 10 mi
794937b
Lubbock, TX · 10 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79366

What planting zone is ZIP code 79366?

ZIP code 79366 (Ransom Canyon, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Ransom Canyon, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79366 is March 24; after April 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lubbock WFO station.

When is the first frost in Ransom Canyon, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79366 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 233 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79366?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 27 – Feb 10 and set transplants outside around Mar 31 – Apr 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79366 get?

About 18.4 inches of precipitation a year and 7 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ransom Canyon station).

How hot do summers get in Ransom Canyon, TX?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 91 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79366 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berda at the center of ZIP 79366: loam, well drained, pH about 8.1 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Ransom Canyon, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79366 came on Feb 10 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ransom Canyon, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79366 is 14 h 23 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 79366 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79366 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.