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

Planting zone for 79758 — Gardendale, TX

ZIP code 79758 (Gardendale, Ector County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 79758 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 19
First frostNov 11
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 Gardendale, 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 Gardendale, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 29
Growing season235 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 7 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Odessa Schlemeyer Field, TX — 7 miles away, elevation 3,002 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 79758

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 16 – Sep 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 19) and first fall frost (Nov 11) 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 79758 came on Feb 8 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (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).

Soil in Gardendale, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79758 is Faskin — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Faskin-Douro 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 79758; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gardendale, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, June
Winter low32 °Faverage low, January
Hot days115days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights49nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,077base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 15 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 03 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation12.9 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 58 °F, low 32 °F 58°32° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 35 °F 63°35° FebMarch: average high 71 °F, low 43 °F 71°43° MarApril: average high 80 °F, low 51 °F 80°51° AprMay: average high 88 °F, low 61 °F 88°61° MayJune: average high 95 °F, low 69 °F 95°69° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 72 °F 95°72° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 71 °F 94°71° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 63 °F 87°63° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 40 °F 67°40° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 32 °F 58°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 0.61 in precipitation 0.6 JanFebruary: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 0.73 in precipitation 0.7 MarApril: 0.65 in precipitation 0.7 AprMay: 1.62 in precipitation 1.6 MayJune: 1.27 in precipitation 1.3 JunJuly: 1.53 in precipitation 1.5 JulAugust: 1.48 in precipitation 1.5 AugSeptember: 1.94 in precipitation 1.9 SepOctober: 1.25 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 0.72 in precipitation 0.7 NovDecember: 0.56 in precipitation 0.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Odessa Schlemeyer Field, TX (7 mi away); precipitation: Odessa Schlemeyer Field, TX (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

797628b
Odessa, TX · 6 mi
797078a
Midland, TX · 8 mi
797658a
Odessa, TX · 9 mi
797618b
Odessa, TX · 11 mi
797038a
Midland, TX · 12 mi
797688b
Odessa, TX · 12 mi
797648b
Odessa, TX · 13 mi
797018b
Midland, TX · 15 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79758

What planting zone is ZIP code 79758?

ZIP code 79758 (Gardendale, 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 Gardendale, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79758 is March 19; after April 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Odessa Schlemeyer Field station.

When is the first frost in Gardendale, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79758 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 235 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79758?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 22 – Feb 5 and set transplants outside around Mar 26 – Apr 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79758 get?

About 12.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Odessa Schlemeyer Field station).

How hot do summers get in Gardendale, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in June, with about 115 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79758 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Faskin at the center of ZIP 79758: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Gardendale, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79758 came on Feb 8 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gardendale, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79758 is 14 h 15 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.