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

Planting zone for 79369 — Spade, TX

ZIP code 79369 (Spade, Lamb County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 79369 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 14
First frostOct 26
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 Spade, 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 Spade, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 15
Growing season192 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Littlefield, TX — 7 miles away, elevation 3,465 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 79369

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 31 – Sep 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 14) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 79369 came on Feb 12 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20).

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.

Trees 68

Shrubs 124

Wildflowers & perennials 198

Grasses 168

Vines 14

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 Spade, TX.

Soil in Spade, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79369 is Amarillo — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.9%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Amarillo fine sandy 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 79369; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Spade, TX

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days87days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights109nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,429base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 25 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 53 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation18 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall7 inper year; 3 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 54 °F, low 23 °F 54°23° JanFebruary: average high 58 °F, low 26 °F 58°26° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 33 °F 67°33° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 41 °F 75°41° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 52 °F 83°52° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 61 °F 91°61° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 64 °F 93°64° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 63 °F 91°63° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 55 °F 84°55° SepOctober: average high 75 °F, low 43 °F 75°43° OctNovember: average high 63 °F, low 32 °F 63°32° NovDecember: average high 54 °F, low 24 °F 54°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.65 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 0.7❄1 JanFebruary: 0.61 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 0.6❄2 FebMarch: 1.15 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 1.1❄1 MarApril: 1.05 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.1 AprMay: 2.01 in precipitation 2.0 MayJune: 2.87 in precipitation 2.9 JunJuly: 2.22 in precipitation 2.2 JulAugust: 2.35 in precipitation 2.4 AugSeptember: 2.28 in precipitation 2.3 SepOctober: 1.31 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 0.74 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 0.7❄1 NovDecember: 0.77 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 0.8❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Littlefield, TX (7 mi away); precipitation: Littlefield, TX (7 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.

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79369

What planting zone is ZIP code 79369?

ZIP code 79369 (Spade, 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 Spade, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79369 is April 14; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Littlefield station.

When is the first frost in Spade, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79369 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 192 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79369?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 17 – Mar 3 and set transplants outside around Apr 21 – May 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79369 get?

About 18 inches of precipitation a year and 7 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Littlefield station).

How hot do summers get in Spade, TX?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 87 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79369 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Amarillo at the center of ZIP 79369: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Spade, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79369 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 Spade, TX?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 79369 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 79369 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79369 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.