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

Planting zone for 79780 — Saragosa, TX

ZIP code 79780 (Saragosa, Reeves County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 79780 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 29

First frostNov 9

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 Saragosa, 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 Saragosa, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 27

Growing season228 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Balmorhea, TX — 6 miles away, elevation 3,222 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 79780

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 29) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 79780 came on Feb 8 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2).

average
Feb 22026
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).

Soil in Saragosa, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79780 is Verhalen — clay, moderately well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Verhalen clay.

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 79780; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Saragosa, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, June

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days118days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights65nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,704base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 10 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 08 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation12.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Balmorhea, TX (6 mi away); precipitation: Balmorhea, TX (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

797188a

Balmorhea, TX · 6 mi

797868a

Toyahvale, TX · 10 mi

Fort Davis, TX · 31 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79780

What planting zone is ZIP code 79780?

ZIP code 79780 (Saragosa, 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 Saragosa, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79780 is March 29; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Balmorhea station.

When is the first frost in Saragosa, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79780 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 228 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79780?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 1 – Feb 15 and set transplants outside around Apr 5 – Apr 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79780 get?

About 12.1 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Balmorhea station).

How hot do summers get in Saragosa, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in June, with about 118 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79780 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Verhalen at the center of ZIP 79780: clay, moderately well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Saragosa, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79780 came on Feb 8 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Saragosa, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79780 is 14 h 10 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.