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

Planting zone for 79754 — Mentone, TX

ZIP code 79754 (Mentone, Loving 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 6.

Where ZIP 79754 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 frostMar 26
First frostNov 6
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 Mentone, 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 Mentone, 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 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 24
Growing season222 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 10 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Winkler Co. Airport, TX — 17 miles away, elevation 2,809 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 79754

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 11 – Sep 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 26) and first fall frost (Nov 6) 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 79754 came on Feb 9 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

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 Mentone, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79754 is Pyote — fine sand, well drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.3%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pyote fine sand, gently undulating.

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 79754; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mentone, TX

Summer high98 °Faverage high, June
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days142days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights65nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,273base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 14 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 04 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation11.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 30 °F 60°30° JanFebruary: average high 65 °F, low 34 °F 65°34° FebMarch: average high 74 °F, low 42 °F 74°42° MarApril: average high 83 °F, low 50 °F 83°50° AprMay: average high 90 °F, low 60 °F 90°60° MayJune: average high 98 °F, low 69 °F 98°69° JunJuly: average high 97 °F, low 72 °F 97°72° JulAugust: average high 96 °F, low 71 °F 96°71° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 64 °F 89°64° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 51 °F 81°51° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 38 °F 69°38° NovDecember: average high 60 °F, low 31 °F 60°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 JanFebruary: 0.40 in precipitation 0.4 FebMarch: 0.72 in precipitation 0.7 MarApril: 0.47 in precipitation 0.5 AprMay: 1.40 in precipitation 1.4 MayJune: 1.27 in precipitation 1.3 JunJuly: 1.53 in precipitation 1.5 JulAugust: 1.38 in precipitation 1.4 AugSeptember: 1.55 in precipitation 1.6 SepOctober: 1.18 in precipitation 1.2 OctNovember: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 0.50 in precipitation 0.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Winkler Co. Airport, TX (17 mi away); precipitation: Winkler Co. Airport, TX (17 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

797898a
Wink, TX · 13 mi
882528a
Jal, NM · 24 mi
797708a
Orla, TX · 25 mi
797198a
Barstow, TX · 25 mi
797458a
Kermit, TX · 25 mi
797728a
Pecos, TX · 30 mi
797778a
Pyote, TX · 30 mi
797888a
Wickett, TX · 33 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79754

What planting zone is ZIP code 79754?

ZIP code 79754 (Mentone, 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 Mentone, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79754 is March 26; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winkler Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Mentone, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79754 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 222 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79754?

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 79754 get?

About 11.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winkler Co. Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Mentone, TX?

The average high peaks at 98 °F in June, with about 142 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79754 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pyote at the center of ZIP 79754: fine sand, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Mentone, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79754 came on Feb 9 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mentone, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79754 is 14 h 14 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.