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

Planting zone for 79711 — Midland, TX

ZIP code 79711 (Midland, Midland County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 79711 is

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 26
First frostNov 9
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 Midland, 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 Midland, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 26median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 25
Growing season226 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 10 and returns around November 18.

From the NOAA station Midland 4 Ene, TX — 3 miles away, elevation 2,776 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 79711

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Mar 5
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 26) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 79711 came on Feb 7 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

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 Midland, TX.

Soil in Midland, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79711 is Arvana — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.0alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.85%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Arvana 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 79711; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Midland, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, June
Winter low31 °Faverage low, January
Hot days126days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights54nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,060base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 15 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 03 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation13.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall2 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 31 °F 60°31° JanFebruary: average high 65 °F, low 35 °F 65°35° FebMarch: average high 74 °F, low 42 °F 74°42° MarApril: average high 82 °F, low 50 °F 82°50° AprMay: average high 89 °F, low 60 °F 89°60° MayJune: average high 95 °F, low 67 °F 95°67° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 70 °F 95°70° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 69 °F 94°69° AugSeptember: average high 88 °F, low 62 °F 88°62° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 52 °F 81°52° OctNovember: average high 68 °F, low 40 °F 68°40° NovDecember: average high 61 °F, low 32 °F 61°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 0.77 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 0.8❄1 JanFebruary: 0.54 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 0.5 FebMarch: 0.75 in precipitation 0.8 MarApril: 0.85 in precipitation 0.8 AprMay: 1.70 in precipitation 1.7 MayJune: 1.55 in precipitation 1.6 JunJuly: 1.45 in precipitation 1.4 JulAugust: 1.58 in precipitation 1.6 AugSeptember: 1.87 in precipitation 1.9 SepOctober: 1.18 in precipitation 1.2 OctNovember: 0.86 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 0.9❄1 NovDecember: 0.45 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 0.5❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Midland 4 Ene, TX (3 mi away); precipitation: Midland 4 Ene, TX (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

797018b
Midland, TX · <1 mi
797028b
Midland, TX · 2 mi
797038a
Midland, TX · 3 mi
797078a
Midland, TX · 7 mi
797058b
Midland, TX · 7 mi
797048b
Midland, TX · 9 mi
797088b
Midland, TX · 9 mi
797108b
Midland, TX · 9 mi

All 11 ZIP codes in Midland → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79711

What planting zone is ZIP code 79711?

ZIP code 79711 (Midland, 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 Midland, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79711 is March 26; after April 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Midland 4 Ene station.

When is the first frost in Midland, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79711 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 226 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79711?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 29 – Feb 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 2 – Apr 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79711 get?

About 13.6 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Midland 4 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Midland, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in June, with about 126 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79711 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Arvana at the center of ZIP 79711: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.0 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Midland, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79711 came on Feb 7 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 Midland, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79711 is 14 h 15 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.