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

Planting zone for 79831 — Alpine, TX

ZIP code 79831 (Alpine, Brewster County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 79831 is

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 2

First frostNov 3

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 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 — 5 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 79831

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 79831 came on Feb 6 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

average
Feb 62026
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 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 Alpine, TX.

Soil in Alpine, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79831 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 79831; 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 11 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation16.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 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: Alpine, TX (5 mi away); precipitation: Alpine, TX (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

798308b

Alpine, TX · 7 mi

797348a

Fort Davis, TX · 32 mi

798428b

Marathon, TX · 43 mi

797868a

Toyahvale, TX · 45 mi

797188a

Balmorhea, TX · 48 mi

Fort Stockton, TX · 59 mi

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

Questions about 79831

What planting zone is ZIP code 79831?

ZIP code 79831 (Alpine, 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 Alpine, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79831 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 79831 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 216 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79831?

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 79831 get?

About 16.1 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alpine 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 79831 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brewster at the center of ZIP 79831: very gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 6.9 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Alpine, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79831 came on Feb 6 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 Alpine, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79831 is 14 h 06 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.