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

Planting zone for 79769 — Odessa, TX

ZIP code 79769 (Odessa, Ector County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost November 14.

Where ZIP 79769 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 14

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 14median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 14median — 10% chance by Oct 30

Growing season244 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 2 and returns around November 25.

From the NOAA station Penwell, TX — 4 miles away, elevation 2,933 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 79769

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

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 14) 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 79769 came on Feb 8 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

average
Feb 52026
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 79769 is Jalmar — 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 matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Jalmar-Penwell association, 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 79769; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Odessa, TX

Summer high97 °Faverage high, June

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days125days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights64nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,507base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 13 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

Precipitation12.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Penwell, TX (4 mi away); precipitation: Penwell, TX (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

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

Questions about 79769

What planting zone is ZIP code 79769?

ZIP code 79769 (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 79769 is March 14; after April 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Penwell station.

When is the first frost in Odessa, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79769 is November 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 244 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79769?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 17 – Jan 31 and set transplants outside around Mar 21 – Apr 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79769 get?

About 12.5 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Penwell station).

How hot do summers get in Odessa, TX?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in June, with about 125 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79769 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Jalmar at the center of ZIP 79769: fine sand, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Odessa, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79769 came on Feb 8 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Odessa, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79769 is 14 h 13 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.