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

Planting zone for 79504 — Baird, TX

ZIP code 79504 (Baird, Callahan County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 79504 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 27

First frostNov 7

2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Baird, 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 Baird, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 25

Growing season225 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 14 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Putnam, TX — 10 miles away, elevation 1,621 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 79504

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Mar 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 12 – Sep 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 27) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 79504 came on Feb 8 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7).

average
Feb 72026
Feb 8

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.

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 Baird, TX.

Soil in Baird, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79504 is Chaney — loamy fine sand, moderately well drained.

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

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.34%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Chaney loamy fine sand, 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 79504; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Baird, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days105days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights53nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,055base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 16 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 02 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation29 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall4 inper year; 2 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: Putnam, TX (10 mi away); precipitation: Putnam, TX (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

Cross Plains, TX · 16 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79504

What planting zone is ZIP code 79504?

ZIP code 79504 (Baird, 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 Baird, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79504 is March 27; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Putnam station.

When is the first frost in Baird, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79504 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 225 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79504?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 30 – Feb 13 and set transplants outside around Apr 3 – Apr 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79504 get?

About 29 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Putnam station).

How hot do summers get in Baird, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 105 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79504 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chaney at the center of ZIP 79504: loamy fine sand, moderately well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Baird, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79504 came on Feb 8 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Baird, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79504 is 14 h 16 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.