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

Planting zone for 79603 — Abilene, TX

ZIP code 79603 (Abilene, Taylor County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 79603 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 frostApr 2

First frostNov 3

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 Abilene, 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 Abilene, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 21

Growing season215 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Merkel 12 Sw, TX — 11 miles away, elevation 2,251 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 79603

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

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 2) 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 79603 came on Feb 8 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

average
Feb 62026
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 Abilene, TX.

Soil in Abilene, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79603 is Sagerton — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

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 clay loam, moist, 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 79603; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Abilene, TX

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days99days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights68nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,707base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 16 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 01 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation25.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Merkel 12 Sw, TX (11 mi away); precipitation: Tuscola 13.1 Wnw, TX (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

Buffalo Gap, TX · 7 mi

All 7 ZIP codes in Abilene → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79603

What planting zone is ZIP code 79603?

ZIP code 79603 (Abilene, 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 Abilene, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79603 is April 2; after April 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Merkel 12 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Abilene, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79603 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 215 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79603?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 5 – Feb 19 and set transplants outside around Apr 9 – Apr 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79603 get?

About 25.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tuscola 13.1 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Abilene, TX?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 99 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79603 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sagerton at the center of ZIP 79603: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Abilene, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79603 came on Feb 8 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Abilene, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79603 is 14 h 16 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.