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

Planting zone for 79734 — Fort Davis, TX

ZIP code 79734 (Fort Davis, Jeff Davis County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 79734 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 16

First frostOct 29

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 Fort Davis, 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 Fort Davis, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 12

Growing season194 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Mt Locke, TX — 3 miles away, elevation 6,792 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 79734

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 79734 came on Feb 9 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9).

average
Feb 92026
Feb 9

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 Fort Davis, TX.

Soil in Fort Davis, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79734 is Liv — very cobbly silt loam, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Liv-Mainstay-Rock outcrop association, steep.

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 79734; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fort Davis, TX

Summer high87 °Faverage high, June

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days28days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights59nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,189base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 08 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 09 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation19 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall6 inper year; 3 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: Mt Locke, TX (3 mi away); precipitation: Mt Locke, TX (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

797868a

Toyahvale, TX · 21 mi

797188a

Balmorhea, TX · 26 mi

Valentine, TX · 38 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79734

What planting zone is ZIP code 79734?

ZIP code 79734 (Fort Davis, 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 Fort Davis, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79734 is April 16; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mt Locke station.

When is the first frost in Fort Davis, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79734 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 194 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79734?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79734 get?

About 19 inches of precipitation a year and 6 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mt Locke station).

How hot do summers get in Fort Davis, TX?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in June, with about 28 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79734 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Liv at the center of ZIP 79734: very cobbly silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Fort Davis, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79734 came on Feb 9 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fort Davis, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79734 is 14 h 08 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 79734 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79734 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.