Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 79851 — Sierra Blanca, TX

ZIP code 79851 (Sierra Blanca, Hudspeth 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 6.

Where ZIP 79851 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 6

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 Sierra Blanca, 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 Sierra Blanca, 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 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 24

Growing season221 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 11 and returns around November 15.

From the NOAA station Ft Hancock 8sse, TX — 29 miles away, elevation 3,494 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 79851

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 11 – Sep 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 29) and first fall frost (Nov 6) 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 79851 came on Feb 8 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11).

average
Feb 112026
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).

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 Sierra Blanca, TX.

Soil in Sierra Blanca, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79851 is Chispa — gravelly sandy clay loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH8.3alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Chispa-Chilicotal 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 79851; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sierra Blanca, TX

Summer high98 °Faverage high, June

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days133days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights93nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,773base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 11 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 07 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation11.4 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: Ft Hancock 8sse, TX (29 mi away); precipitation: Allamoore 4.2 Sw, TX (19 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

798398a

Fort Hancock, TX · 25 mi

798478a

Salt Flat, TX · 33 mi

Dell City, TX · 57 mi

799288b

El Paso, TX · 58 mi

798548a

Valentine, TX · 59 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79851

What planting zone is ZIP code 79851?

ZIP code 79851 (Sierra Blanca, 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 Sierra Blanca, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79851 is March 29; after April 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ft Hancock 8sse station.

When is the first frost in Sierra Blanca, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79851 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 221 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79851?

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 79851 get?

About 11.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Allamoore 4.2 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Sierra Blanca, TX?

The average high peaks at 98 °F in June, with about 133 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79851 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chispa at the center of ZIP 79851: gravelly sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 8.3 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Sierra Blanca, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79851 came on Feb 8 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sierra Blanca, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79851 is 14 h 11 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 79851 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 79851 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.