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

Planting zone for 79770 — Orla, TX

ZIP code 79770 (Orla, Reeves County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost November 6.

Where ZIP 79770 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 4

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 Orla, 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 Orla, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 24

Growing season217 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 17 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Ochoa, NM — 36 miles away, elevation 3,399 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 79770

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

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 4) 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 79770 came on Feb 8 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3).

average
Feb 32026
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 Orla, TX.

Soil in Orla, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79770 is Hoban — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Hoban-Reeves-Holloman 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 79770; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Orla, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, June

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days112days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights79nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,341base 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

Precipitation13.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ochoa, NM (36 mi away); precipitation: Ochoa, NM (36 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

Whites City, NM · 35 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79770

What planting zone is ZIP code 79770?

ZIP code 79770 (Orla, 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 Orla, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79770 is April 4; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ochoa station.

When is the first frost in Orla, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79770 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 217 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79770?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 7 – Feb 21 and set transplants outside around Apr 11 – Apr 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79770 get?

About 13.4 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ochoa station).

How hot do summers get in Orla, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in June, with about 112 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79770 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hoban at the center of ZIP 79770: clay loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Orla, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79770 came on Feb 8 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Orla, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79770 is 14 h 14 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.