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

Planting zone for 79764 — Odessa, TX

ZIP code 79764 (Odessa, Ector County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 79764 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 19
First frostNov 11
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 Odessa, 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 Odessa, 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 — 6 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 79764

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 79764 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).

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.

Trees 70

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °FArizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona walnut50 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 137

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °FAmerican snowbell10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −16 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 204

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican century plant6 ft · blooms indeterminate · high shade tolerance · to 12 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 188

alkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °FArizona cottontop4 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °FArizona fescue2 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona threeawn2 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −3 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °F

Vines 14

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Odessa, TX.

Soil in Odessa, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79764 is Ratliff — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.35%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ratliff 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 79764; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Odessa, 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 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
Precipitation15.4 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 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″3″January: 0.68 in precipitation 0.7 JanFebruary: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 0.80 in precipitation 0.8 MarApril: 0.78 in precipitation 0.8 AprMay: 1.71 in precipitation 1.7 MayJune: 1.72 in precipitation 1.7 JunJuly: 1.72 in precipitation 1.7 JulAugust: 2.51 in precipitation 2.5 AugSeptember: 1.96 in precipitation 2.0 SepOctober: 1.51 in precipitation 1.5 OctNovember: 0.84 in precipitation 0.8 NovDecember: 0.59 in precipitation 0.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Odessa Schlemeyer Field, TX (6 mi away); precipitation: Odessa 8.3 Wsw, TX (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

797638b
Odessa, TX · 5 mi
797688b
Odessa, TX · 7 mi
797618b
Odessa, TX · 7 mi
797628b
Odessa, TX · 8 mi
797768a
Penwell, TX · 9 mi
797608b
Odessa, TX · 10 mi
797598a
Notrees, TX · 11 mi
797658a
Odessa, TX · 12 mi

All 9 ZIP codes in Odessa → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79764

What planting zone is ZIP code 79764?

ZIP code 79764 (Odessa, 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 Odessa, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79764 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 Odessa, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79764 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 235 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79764?

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 79764 get?

About 15.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Odessa 8.3 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Odessa, 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 79764 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ratliff at the center of ZIP 79764: loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Odessa, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79764 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 Odessa, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79764 is 14 h 14 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 79764 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79764 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.