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

Planting zone for 79855 — Van Horn, TX

ZIP code 79855 (Van Horn, Culberson County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 79855 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 21

First frostNov 11

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 Van Horn, 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 Van Horn, TX

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 27

Growing season234 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 4 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Van Horn, TX — 8 miles away, elevation 4,065 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 79855

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 16 – Sep 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 21) and first fall frost (Nov 11) 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 79855 came on Feb 8 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7).

average
Feb 72026
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 Van Horn, TX.

Soil in Van Horn, TX

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 79855 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, 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 79855; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Van Horn, TX

Summer high95 °Faverage high, June

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days95days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights70nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,530base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 09 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 08 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation10.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 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: Van Horn, TX (8 mi away); precipitation: Van Horn, TX (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

798548a

Valentine, TX · 26 mi

798518a

Sierra Blanca, TX · 34 mi

797348a

Fort Davis, TX · 55 mi

798398a

Fort Hancock, TX · 57 mi

798478a

Salt Flat, TX · 59 mi

797858a

Toyah, TX · 61 mi

797868a

Toyahvale, TX · 64 mi

798438a

Marfa, TX · 78 mi

Texas planting zones →

Questions about 79855

What planting zone is ZIP code 79855?

ZIP code 79855 (Van Horn, 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 Van Horn, TX?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 79855 is March 21; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Van Horn station.

When is the first frost in Van Horn, TX?

The median first fall frost near 79855 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 234 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 79855?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 24 – Feb 7 and set transplants outside around Mar 28 – Apr 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 79855 get?

About 10.3 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Van Horn station).

How hot do summers get in Van Horn, TX?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in June, with about 95 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 79855 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bissett at the center of ZIP 79855: very gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Van Horn, TX in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 79855 came on Feb 8 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 Van Horn, TX?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 79855 is 14 h 09 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.