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

Planting zone for 79740 — Girvin, TX

ZIP code 79740 (Girvin, Pecos County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost November 16.

Where ZIP 79740 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostMar 12
First frostNov 16
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 Girvin, 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 Girvin, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 16median — 10% chance by Nov 2
Growing season247 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 1 and returns around November 27.

From the NOAA station Mccamey, TX — 11 miles away, elevation 2,461 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 79740

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 21 – Oct 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 2 – Dec 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 12) and first fall frost (Nov 16) 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 79740 came on Feb 6 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

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).

Soil in Girvin, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79740 is Iraan — 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 matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Iraan silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded.

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 79740; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Girvin, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, June
Winter low33 °Faverage low, January
Hot days130days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights46nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,676base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 10 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 08 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation14.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 61 °F, low 33 °F 61°33° JanFebruary: average high 66 °F, low 37 °F 66°37° FebMarch: average high 74 °F, low 45 °F 74°45° MarApril: average high 82 °F, low 53 °F 82°53° AprMay: average high 90 °F, low 63 °F 90°63° MayJune: average high 96 °F, low 71 °F 96°71° JunJuly: average high 96 °F, low 73 °F 96°73° JulAugust: average high 96 °F, low 73 °F 96°73° AugSeptember: average high 90 °F, low 66 °F 90°66° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 55 °F 81°55° OctNovember: average high 70 °F, low 43 °F 70°43° NovDecember: average high 61 °F, low 34 °F 61°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.69 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 0.7 JanFebruary: 0.55 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 0.86 in precipitation 0.9 MarApril: 1.08 in precipitation 1.1 AprMay: 1.26 in precipitation 1.3 MayJune: 2.11 in precipitation 2.1 JunJuly: 1.69 in precipitation 1.7 JulAugust: 1.88 in precipitation 1.9 AugSeptember: 1.81 in precipitation 1.8 SepOctober: 1.42 in precipitation 1.4 OctNovember: 0.82 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 0.8 NovDecember: 0.65 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 0.7❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mccamey, TX (11 mi away); precipitation: Mccamey, TX (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

797528b
Mc Camey, TX · 12 mi
797438a
Imperial, TX · 27 mi
797788b
Rankin, TX · 28 mi
797318a
Crane, TX · 28 mi
797448b
Iraan, TX · 31 mi
797358b
Fort Stockton, TX · 33 mi
797428a
Grandfalls, TX · 34 mi
797558a
Midkiff, TX · 39 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79740

What planting zone is ZIP code 79740?

ZIP code 79740 (Girvin, 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 Girvin, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79740 is March 12; after April 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mccamey station.

When is the first frost in Girvin, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79740 is November 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 247 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79740?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 15 – Jan 29 and set transplants outside around Mar 19 – Apr 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79740 get?

About 14.8 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mccamey station).

How hot do summers get in Girvin, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in June, with about 130 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79740 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Iraan at the center of ZIP 79740: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Girvin, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79740 came on Feb 6 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Girvin, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79740 is 14 h 10 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 79740 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79740 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.