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When to Plant Alpine Strawberries in Kenedy County, TX

Alpine strawberries are small, intensely flavored wild-type strawberries that fruit continuously from spring to frost. They do not produce runners and make excellent edging plants.

Kenedy County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.

At an elevation of 1,757 feet, Kenedy County receives approximately 58.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, so Alpine Strawberries may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Alpine Strawberries root diseases.

Kenedy County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
303 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
303 growing days
First Fall Frost December 13

Kenedy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 1 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Aug 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Sep 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Oct 2

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Kenedy County

How your county's soil matches Alpine Strawberries's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6โ€“7.5) is more alkaline than Alpine Strawberries prefers (5.5โ€“6.8). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Kenedy County is excellent for Alpine Strawberries โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Alpine Strawberries.

How to Plant Alpine Strawberries

12"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 511 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Alpine Strawberries

Alpine Strawberries needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Alpine Strawberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2" 2.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Mar 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 8.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 9.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Dec in Kenedy County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Alpine Strawberries Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Alpine Strawberries needs ~3,476 GDD — county provides 7,828 GDD Excellent fit

Alpine Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Kenedy County, TX

Alpine Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 13
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Sep 11

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Transplant Outdoors
March Transplant Outdoors
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“180 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“6.8 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

303 days in Kenedy County

Growing Tips for Alpine Strawberries in Kenedy County

Direct sow Alpine Strawberries outdoors after February 13 in Kenedy County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 101ยฐF in Kenedy County, provide afternoon shade for Alpine Strawberries and water deeply in the morning.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before transplanting. Unlike regular strawberries, alpines do not spread by runners. Harvest tiny, intensely aromatic berries frequently. Grow well in partial shade.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Alpine Strawberries in Kenedy County, TX?

Kenedy County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Alpine Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kenedy County, TX?

Kenedy County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kenedy County gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Kenedy County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.