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

Planting zone for 79847 — Salt Flat, TX

ZIP code 79847 (Salt Flat, Hudspeth County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 79847 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 17

First frostOct 25

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 Salt Flat, 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 Salt Flat, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 11

Growing season189 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Dell City 5ssw, TX — 12 miles away, elevation 3,708 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 79847

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 79847 came on Feb 9 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7).

average
Feb 72026
Feb 9

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 Salt Flat, TX.

Soil in Salt Flat, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79847 is Bissett — very gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4.6%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bissett-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 8 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 79847; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Salt Flat, TX

Summer high97 °Faverage high, June

Winter low23 °Faverage low, January

Hot days130days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights102nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,783base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 13 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

Precipitation10.9 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: Dell City 5ssw, TX (12 mi away); precipitation: Dell City 5ssw, TX (12 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.

798377b

Dell City, TX · 24 mi

798518a

Sierra Blanca, TX · 33 mi

798398a

Fort Hancock, TX · 36 mi

Whites City, NM · 55 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79847

What planting zone is ZIP code 79847?

ZIP code 79847 (Salt Flat, 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 Salt Flat, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79847 is April 17; after May 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dell City 5ssw station.

When is the first frost in Salt Flat, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79847 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 189 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79847?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 20 – Mar 6 and set transplants outside around Apr 24 – May 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79847 get?

About 10.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dell City 5ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Salt Flat, TX?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in June, with about 130 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79847 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bissett at the center of ZIP 79847: very gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Salt Flat, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79847 came on Feb 9 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Salt Flat, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79847 is 14 h 13 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 79847 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79847 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.