USDA zone 8a in Texas
USDA plant hardiness zone 8a covers 103 locations across Texas (average annual extreme minimum 10 to 15 °F): Abilene, TX, Albany, TX, Alpine, TX, Andrews, TX, Aspermont, TX, Avery, TX, and 97 more. Average last spring frost across this group ranges February 23 (Presidio) to April 17 (Dell), and growing seasons run 189–275 days (Dell to Presidio) — even within one state, because hardiness sets winter survival, not planting dates. The table below gives every Texas location's own frost dates; the printable planting calendar uses Robert Lee, this group's median-season location.
- USDA zone
- 8a10 to 15 °F
- Last frost range
- Feb 23–Apr 17avg, 32°F
- First frost range
- Oct 25–Nov 26avg, 32°F
- Growing season range
- 189–275days
Locations in this group
Every location below shares this zone and a nearby weather station, but keeps its own frost dates — find your town for its own numbers, or use the ZIP planner on the home page for an instant personalized answer.
| Location | Also covers | Nearest station | Last frost | First frost | Season (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | Potosi, Tye, Clyde, Merkel, Buffalo Gap, Impact | Abilene Rgnl Ap | Mar 20 | Nov 10 | 236 |
| Albany | Moran | Albany | Mar 30 | Nov 8 | 225 |
| Alpine | — | Alpine | Apr 2 | Nov 3 | 216 |
| Andrews | — | Andrews | Mar 18 | Nov 14 | 240 |
| Aspermont | — | Aspermont | Mar 29 | Nov 7 | 223 |
| Avery | — | Dekalb | Mar 26 | Nov 6 | 225 |
| Ballinger | Miles, Bronte, Rowena, Valera | Ballinger 2 Nw | Mar 22 | Nov 10 | 233 |
| Balmorhea | — | Balmorhea | Mar 29 | Nov 9 | 228 |
| Big Lake | Mertzon | Big Lake 2 | Mar 20 | Nov 14 | 238 |
| Big Spring | Coahoma, Ackerly, Forsan | Big Spring | Mar 20 | Nov 13 | 239 |
| Bonham | Albany, Honey Grove, Leonard, Trenton, Whitewright, Dodd, +8 more | Bonham 3nne | Mar 16 | Nov 13 | 242 |
| Bowie | Sunset, Ringgold, Montague, Bellevue | Bowie | Mar 27 | Nov 9 | 228 |
| Briar | Decatur | Decatur | Mar 20 | Nov 11 | 237 |
| Brownfield | Loop, Wellman | Brownfield #2 | Apr 3 | Nov 4 | 215 |
| Carlsbad | — | Water Valley | Apr 6 | Nov 2 | 211 |
| Cisco | Baird, Cross Plains, Carbon, Putnam | Putnam | Mar 27 | Nov 7 | 225 |
| Clarksville | Detroit | Clarksville 2ne | Mar 20 | Nov 10 | 233 |
| Coleman | Cross Plains, Novice, Valera | Coleman | Mar 14 | Nov 20 | 249 |
| Coyanosa | — | Ft Stockton Pecos Ap | Mar 8 | Nov 20 | 252 |
| Crowell | Benjamin | Truscott 3 W | Mar 28 | Nov 9 | 227 |
| Dell | — | Dell City 5ssw | Apr 17 | Oct 25 | 189 |
| Denton | Pilot Point | Denton 2 Se | Mar 13 | Nov 20 | 251 |
| Denton | Sanger, Ponder, Krum | Denton Muni Ap | Mar 24 | Nov 7 | 227 |
| Denver | — | Denver City | Apr 7 | Nov 4 | 209 |
| Early | Bangs, May, Blanket | Brownwood 2ene | Mar 22 | Nov 10 | 233 |
| Eden | — | Eden | Apr 5 | Nov 4 | 213 |
| Elbert | Olney, Megargel | Olney | Mar 31 | Nov 8 | 222 |
| Eldorado | — | Eldorado | Mar 22 | Nov 10 | 234 |
| Electra | Seymour | Lake Kemp | Mar 20 | Nov 13 | 238 |
| Fabens | Tornillo | Tornillo 2 Sse | Mar 21 | Nov 6 | 227 |
| Fluvanna | — | Lake Alan Henry | Mar 29 | Nov 10 | 225 |
| Fort Davis | — | Mt Locke | Apr 16 | Oct 29 | 194 |
| Fort Hancock | — | Ft Hancock 8sse | Mar 29 | Nov 6 | 221 |
| Fort Worth | Cresson | Benbrook Dam | Mar 14 | Nov 16 | 245 |
| Gail | — | Gail | Mar 27 | Nov 8 | 226 |
| Gainesville | Muenster, Valley View, Callisburg, Tioga, Lindsay, Collinsville, +1 more | Gainesville 5 Ene | Mar 19 | Nov 14 | 242 |
| Garden | — | Garden City | Apr 2 | Nov 5 | 215 |
| Gardendale | Goldsmith | Odessa Schlemeyer Fld | Mar 19 | Nov 11 | 235 |
| Glen Rose | — | Rainbow | Mar 28 | Nov 7 | 225 |
| Gordon | Strawn | Lake Palo Pinto | Mar 23 | Nov 10 | 231 |
| Goree | Munday | Munday | Mar 26 | Nov 11 | 232 |
| Graham | Loving, Bryson | Graham | Apr 1 | Nov 5 | 220 |
| Guthrie | — | Guthrie | Apr 4 | Nov 3 | 213 |
| Hamlin | Anson, Rule, Lueders | Stamford 1 | Mar 23 | Nov 11 | 234 |
| Harper | — | Harper 3ene | Mar 15 | Nov 15 | 243 |
| Hawley | Anson | Anson | Mar 31 | Nov 6 | 221 |
| Henrietta | — | Henrietta | Apr 1 | Nov 8 | 221 |
| Hermleigh | Snyder, Fluvanna | Snyder | Mar 27 | Nov 10 | 227 |
| Imperial | Grandfalls | Grandfalls 3sse | Apr 2 | Nov 3 | 214 |
| Ingram | — | Hunt 10 W | Apr 3 | Nov 1 | 211 |
| Jacksboro | Perrin, Bryson | Jacksboro | Mar 28 | Nov 7 | 225 |
| Jayton | Girard | Jayton | Apr 1 | Nov 5 | 220 |
| Junction | — | Junction 4ssw | Apr 8 | Oct 28 | 202 |
| Junction | — | Junction Kimble Co Ap | Mar 25 | Nov 7 | 229 |
| Kermit | Pyote, Wink, Barstow, Mentone | Winkler Co Ap | Mar 26 | Nov 6 | 222 |
| Lake Colorado | Westbrook | Colorado City | Apr 4 | Nov 5 | 216 |
| Lamesa | Welch, Ackerly | Lamesa 1 Sse | Apr 4 | Nov 4 | 212 |
| Leakey | — | Medina 1ne | Mar 16 | Nov 15 | 244 |
| Menard | — | Ft Mckavett | Apr 2 | Nov 2 | 214 |
| Menard | — | Menard | Apr 7 | Oct 30 | 204 |
| Midland | Odessa | Midland Odessa | Mar 18 | Nov 14 | 239 |
| Midland | Stanton | Midland 4 Ene | Mar 26 | Nov 9 | 226 |
| Miles | Paint Rock | Paint Rock | Mar 30 | Nov 5 | 222 |
| Mineral Wells | Peaster, Perrin, Millsap, Santo, Palo Pinto, Graford | Mineral Wells Ap | Mar 24 | Nov 10 | 231 |
| Muenster | Alvord | Alvord 3 N | Apr 1 | Nov 4 | 219 |
| New Fairview | — | Ft Worth Alliance Ap | Mar 12 | Nov 17 | 249 |
| Nocona | St. Jo, Ryan, Terral | Bonita 7nw | Mar 24 | Nov 8 | 229 |
| Ozona | — | Acton Rch | Mar 27 | Nov 7 | 228 |
| Paducah | — | Paducah | Mar 30 | Nov 7 | 223 |
| Post | — | Post | Apr 1 | Nov 9 | 223 |
| Powderly | Grant, Detroit, Deport, Brookston, Petty, Toco | Paris | Mar 14 | Nov 16 | 247 |
| Presidio | — | Presidio | Feb 23 | Nov 26 | 275 |
| Ranger | Breckenridge, Woodson | Breckenridge | Apr 4 | Nov 3 | 213 |
| Ranger | Eastland, Gorman | Eastland | Mar 30 | Nov 4 | 222 |
| Rankin | — | Mccamey | Mar 12 | Nov 16 | 247 |
| Rising Star | — | Rising Star 1s | Mar 26 | Nov 10 | 230 |
| Robert Lee * | — | Robert Lee 4wsw | Mar 26 | Nov 7 | 226 |
| Rotan | Sylvester, McCaulley, Roby | Rotan | Mar 17 | Nov 15 | 243 |
| Runaway Bay | Paradise, Chico | Bridgeport | Mar 29 | Nov 7 | 222 |
| San Angelo | Eden, Mertzon, Christoval | San Angelo | Mar 20 | Nov 10 | 232 |
| Scotland | Windthorst, Holliday, Archer | Archer City 2w | Mar 25 | Nov 10 | 231 |
| Seminole | Seagraves | Seminole | Apr 2 | Nov 6 | 219 |
| Sherman | Denison, Gunter, Pottsboro, Sherwood Shores, Southmayd, Cartwright, +7 more | Sherman | Mar 14 | Nov 19 | 250 |
| Sierra Blanca | Van Horn | Van Horn | Mar 21 | Nov 11 | 234 |
| Slaton | Ransom Canyon | Lubbock | Apr 4 | Nov 2 | 210 |
| Sonora | — | Sonora | Apr 1 | Nov 6 | 221 |
| Southwest Sandhill | Imperial, Wickett | Monahans 6 Ene | Mar 17 | Nov 12 | 238 |
| Spur | Dickens | Spur | Apr 6 | Nov 4 | 209 |
| Stamford | Knox, Rule, O'Brien, Weinert, Rochester | Haskell | Mar 28 | Nov 7 | 225 |
| Stephenville | Gorman, Mingus | Stephenville | Mar 29 | Nov 8 | 226 |
| Sterling | — | Sterling City | Mar 31 | Nov 6 | 219 |
| Sweetwater | Roscoe, Loraine, Blackwell, Trent | Roscoe | Mar 30 | Nov 8 | 223 |
| Tahoka | O'Donnell | Tahoka | Apr 2 | Nov 8 | 220 |
| Throckmorton | — | Throckmorton 10n | Mar 29 | Nov 7 | 223 |
| Town of Pecos | — | Pecos 8w | Mar 18 | Nov 10 | 239 |
| Toyah | — | Kent 8se | Mar 26 | Nov 11 | 229 |
| Valentine | — | Valentine | Apr 11 | Oct 30 | 199 |
| Van Alstyne | — | Mckinney Muni Ap | Mar 18 | Nov 11 | 239 |
| Vernon | — | Vernon | Mar 27 | Nov 9 | 225 |
| Weatherford | Carter, Western Lake, Springtown, Dennis | Weatherford | Mar 25 | Nov 8 | 230 |
| West Odessa | — | Penwell | Mar 14 | Nov 14 | 244 |
| Wichita Falls | Burkburnett, Iowa Park, Dean, Byers, Petrolia, Lakeside, +2 more | Wichita Falls Muni Ap | Mar 26 | Nov 9 | 228 |
| Winters | Wingate, Bronte, Lawn, Blackwell | Wingate | Apr 3 | Nov 4 | 217 |
* Robert Lee is this group's median-season location — the calendar below is computed from its data.
Data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (public domain) and USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023. Planting windows synthesized from U.S. Cooperative Extension guides.
Planting calendar (Robert Lee, representative)
Computed from Robert Lee's average frost dates — the median-season location in this Texaszone 8a group. hatched = start seeds indoors, solid green = plant out, teal = a fall sowing, and the terracotta dot marks the estimated first harvest. Ranges are extension-guide planning guidance, not guarantees — your own location's dates may run a week or two earlier or later (see the table above).
- Start indoors
- Plant out
- Fall sowing
- First harvest
| Crop | Frost tolerance | Start indoors | Plant out | First harvest | Fall planting | Season fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Tender | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | Jun 1 – Jun 21 | — | matures comfortably |
| Pepper | Very tender | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | Jun 8 – Jul 8 | — | matures comfortably |
| Cucumber | Tender | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 22 – Jun 11 | — | matures comfortably |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Tender | — | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 17 – Jun 1 | — | matures comfortably |
| Bush bean | Tender | — | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 22 – Jun 1 | Sep 8 – Sep 18 | matures comfortably |
| Sweet corn | Tender | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 25 – Jun 24 | — | matures comfortably |
| Basil | Very tender | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 2 – May 17 | — | matures comfortably |
| Lettuce | Half-hardy | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 12 – Apr 27 | Aug 25 – Sep 9 | matures comfortably |
| Pea | Hardy | — | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 8 – Apr 23 | Aug 15 – Aug 30 | matures comfortably |
| Spinach | Hardy | — | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 24 – Apr 3 | Sep 4 – Sep 14 | matures comfortably |
| Carrot | Half-hardy | — | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | May 4 – May 24 | Aug 5 – Aug 25 | matures comfortably |
| Broccoli | Half-hardy | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 22 – May 12 | Aug 10 – Aug 30 | matures comfortably |
Which crops fit this growing season
Using Robert Lee's own 226-day growing season (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020 median) against each crop's real days-to-maturity range: 12 of 12 crops mature here with comfortable margin. A different location in the table above with a longer or shorter season will get a different mix — the ZIP planner on the home page gives your own.
Frost & freeze dates (Robert Lee)
From NOAA's 1991–2020 Climate Normals at station USC00417669. The median (p50) is the average date; the 90%-safe column is the date the freeze has passed in about 9 years out of 10 — the conservative date to plant after or harvest before.
| Threshold | Last spring — avg | Last spring — 90%-safe | First fall — avg | First fall — 90%-safe | Season (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 6 | Apr 24 | Oct 30 | Nov 12 | 203 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 26 | Apr 12 | Nov 7 | Nov 23 | 226 |
| 28°F | Mar 12 | Apr 1 | Nov 17 | Dec 4 | 252 |
| 24°F | Feb 28 | Mar 19 | Nov 30 | Dec 20 | 276 |
Growing degree days
Growing degree days (GDD) accumulate warmth above a base temperature over the year — a better predictor of crop development than the calendar alone. This group's median GDD (base 50°F) across all 103 locations is 5,904; Robert Lee's own reading is shown below.
| Model | °F·days | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Base 50°F (warm-season) | 5,996 | standard warm-season base (tomato, corn, beans) |
| Base 40°F (cool-season) | 9,107 | cool-season crops (brassicas, greens) |
Hardiness zone 8a in Texas
Zone 8a means an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of about 10 to 15 °F on the USDA's 2023 map — the number that tells you which perennials, shrubs, and trees reliably survive an average winter here. It does not set your planting dates, which come from the frost calendar above. Texas spans 9 hardiness zones in this dataset — see all Texas locations for the full range, including zones6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b.
Explore zone 8a in other states at zone 8a, or see all USDA hardiness zones.
Frequently asked questions
- What does USDA hardiness zone 8a mean in Texas?
- Zone 8a means an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of 10 to 15 °F — the standard USDA measure of which perennials survive winter. 103 locations in Texas fall in this zone. It does not set planting dates; see the frost calendar below for that.
- Where in Texas's zone 8a is the growing season longest?
- Presidio runs the longest season on this page at about 275 days; Dell is shortest at about 189 days — they share the same hardiness zone, but they sit at different weather stations, so their frost calendars differ.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Texas's zone 8a?
- Using Robert Lee's frost dates (this page's median-season location): start seeds indoors about Jan 29 – Feb 12, then transplant outside about Apr 2 – Apr 9. Your own location in the table above may differ by a week or two — use the ZIP planner on the home page for your exact station's dates.
- Does every location in Texas's zone 8a have the same frost dates?
- No — they do not all share a weather station, so frost dates vary by a week or more across the 103 locations listed (see the table above for each location's own dates).
Sources & method
Frost, freeze, growing-season, and growing-degree-day figures are NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, one reading per location's own nearest station (see the table above). The hardiness zone is the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023, matched to each location's ZIP. Planting windows are computed by counting from the average last and first frost using per-crop offsets synthesized from U.S. Cooperative Extension guides — the full method and citations are on the methodology page.