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

Planting zone for 79765 — Odessa, TX

ZIP code 79765 (Odessa, Ector County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost November 14.

Where ZIP 79765 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 18

First frostNov 14

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 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 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 14median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season239 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 4 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station Midland Odessa, TX — 6 miles away, elevation 2,868 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 79765

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 19 – Oct 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 31 – Dec 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 18) and first fall frost (Nov 14) 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 79765 came on Feb 8 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

average
Feb 62026
Feb 8

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 Odessa, TX.

Soil in Odessa, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79765 is Amarillo — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.9%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Amarillo fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes.

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 79765; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Odessa, TX

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July

Winter low33 °Faverage low, January

Hot days115days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights58nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,345base 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

Precipitation15.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Midland Odessa, TX (6 mi away); precipitation: Odessa 4.8 Ene, TX (within 1 mile). 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.

Gardendale, TX · 9 mi

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

Questions about 79765

What planting zone is ZIP code 79765?

ZIP code 79765 (Odessa, 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 Odessa, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79765 is March 18; after April 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Midland Odessa station.

When is the first frost in Odessa, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79765 is November 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 239 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79765?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 21 – Feb 4 and set transplants outside around Mar 25 – Apr 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79765 get?

About 15.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Odessa 4.8 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Odessa, TX?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 115 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79765 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Amarillo at the center of ZIP 79765: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Odessa, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79765 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 79765 is 14 h 14 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.