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

Planting zone for 79735 — Fort Stockton, TX

ZIP code 79735 (Fort Stockton, Pecos County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost November 20.

Where ZIP 79735 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 8

First frostNov 20

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Fort Stockton, 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 Stockton, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 20median — 10% chance by Nov 3

Growing season254 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 23 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Ft Stockton, TX — 9 miles away, elevation 3,038 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 79735

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 25 – Oct 9

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 6 – Dec 11

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 8) and first fall frost (Nov 20) 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 79735 came on Feb 6 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

average
Jan 312026
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 8b in Texas

620 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Texas, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Stockton, TX.

Soil in Fort Stockton, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79735 is Reagan — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Reagan-Hodgins association, nearly level.

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 79735; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fort Stockton, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, August

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days126days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights40nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,479base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 09 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

Precipitation13.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ft Stockton, TX (9 mi away); precipitation: Ft Stockton, TX (9 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.

Grandfalls, TX · 40 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79735

What planting zone is ZIP code 79735?

ZIP code 79735 (Fort Stockton, TX) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Fort Stockton, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79735 is March 8; after April 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ft Stockton station.

When is the first frost in Fort Stockton, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79735 is November 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 254 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79735?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 11 – Jan 25 and set transplants outside around Mar 15 – Mar 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79735 get?

About 13.7 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ft Stockton station).

How hot do summers get in Fort Stockton, TX?

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

What kind of soil does 79735 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Reagan at the center of ZIP 79735: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

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

Spring leaf-out near 79735 came on Feb 6 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fort Stockton, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79735 is 14 h 09 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 79735 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79735 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.