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

Planting zone for 79830 — Alpine, TX

ZIP code 79830 (Alpine, Brewster County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 79830 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 frostApr 2

First frostNov 3

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 Alpine, 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 Alpine, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 19

Growing season216 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 14 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Alpine, TX — 12 miles away, elevation 4,449 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 79830

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 8 – Sep 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 20 – Nov 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 2) and first fall frost (Nov 3) 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 79830 came on Feb 6 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8).

average
Feb 82026
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.

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 Alpine, TX.

Soil in Alpine, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79830 is Brewster — very gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.9neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Brewster-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 70 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 79830; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Alpine, TX

Summer high92 °Faverage high, June

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days82days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights56nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,247base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 06 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 12 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation15.2 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: Alpine, TX (12 mi away); precipitation: Alpine 7.9 Se, TX (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Fort Davis, TX · 39 mi

797868a

Toyahvale, TX · 52 mi

798438a

Marfa, TX · 53 mi

797188a

Balmorhea, TX · 54 mi

798529a

Terlingua, TX · 59 mi

798459a

Presidio, TX · 60 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Alpine → · Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79830

What planting zone is ZIP code 79830?

ZIP code 79830 (Alpine, 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 Alpine, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79830 is April 2; after April 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alpine station.

When is the first frost in Alpine, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79830 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 216 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79830?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 5 – Feb 19 and set transplants outside around Apr 9 – Apr 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79830 get?

About 15.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alpine 7.9 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Alpine, TX?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in June, with about 82 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79830 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brewster at the center of ZIP 79830: very gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 6.9 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Alpine, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79830 came on Feb 6 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Alpine, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79830 is 14 h 06 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 79830 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79830 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.