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

Planting zone for 79756 — Monahans, TX

ZIP code 79756 (Monahans, Ward County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost November 6.

Where ZIP 79756 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 3

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 Monahans, 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 Monahans, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 23

Growing season216 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 16 and returns around November 15.

From the NOAA station Monahans, TX — 2 miles away, elevation 2,546 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 79756

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

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 (Apr 3) 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 79756 came on Feb 7 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

average
Feb 42026
Feb 7

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 Monahans, TX.

Soil in Monahans, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79756 is Pyote — loamy fine sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy fine 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 soils, 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 79756; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Monahans, TX

Summer high98 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, December

Hot days144days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights74nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,925base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 05 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation13.8 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: Monahans, TX (2 mi away); precipitation: Monahans, TX (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

797888a

Wickett, TX · 8 mi

797428a

Grandfalls, TX · 12 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79756

What planting zone is ZIP code 79756?

ZIP code 79756 (Monahans, 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 Monahans, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79756 is April 3; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Monahans station.

When is the first frost in Monahans, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79756 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 216 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79756?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 6 – Feb 20 and set transplants outside around Apr 10 – Apr 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79756 get?

About 13.8 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Monahans station).

How hot do summers get in Monahans, TX?

The average high peaks at 98 °F in July, with about 144 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79756 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pyote at the center of ZIP 79756: loamy fine sand, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Monahans, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79756 came on Feb 7 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Monahans, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79756 is 14 h 12 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.