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

Planting zone for 79843 — Marfa, TX

ZIP code 79843 (Marfa, Presidio County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is February 23 and the first fall frost November 26.

Where ZIP 79843 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 frostFeb 23

First frostNov 26

2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Marfa, 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 Marfa, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 26median — 10% chance by Nov 9

Growing season275 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 3 and returns around December 5.

From the NOAA station Presidio, TX — 20 miles away, elevation 2,612 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 79843

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Feb 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 15 – Dec 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 2 – Feb 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 15 – Dec 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 1 – Oct 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 12 – Dec 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 23) and first fall frost (Nov 26) 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 79843 came on Feb 5 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8).

average
Feb 82026
Feb 5

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 Marfa, TX.

Soil in Marfa, TX

The center of ZIP 79843 is mapped as Area not surveyed, access denied: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 79843; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Marfa, TX

Summer high103 °Faverage high, June

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days189days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights25nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days8,053base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 04 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 13 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation8.9 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: Presidio, TX (20 mi away); precipitation: Presidio, TX (20 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.

Valentine, TX · 54 mi

798318a

Alpine, TX · 54 mi

798529a

Terlingua, TX · 59 mi

797348a

Fort Davis, TX · 62 mi

798558a

Van Horn, TX · 78 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79843

What planting zone is ZIP code 79843?

ZIP code 79843 (Marfa, 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 Marfa, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79843 is February 23; after March 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Presidio station.

When is the first frost in Marfa, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79843 is November 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 275 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79843?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 29 – Jan 12 and set transplants outside around Mar 2 – Mar 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79843 get?

About 8.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Presidio station).

How hot do summers get in Marfa, TX?

The average high peaks at 103 °F in June, with about 189 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Marfa, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79843 came on Feb 5 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Marfa, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79843 is 14 h 04 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 79843 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79843 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.