Blog

When to Plant Alpine Strawberries in Nacogdoches 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.

Nacogdoches County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 7 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 254 days.

At an elevation of 21 feet, Nacogdoches County receives approximately 64.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Alpine Strawberries during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Alpine Strawberries will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Alpine Strawberries root diseases.

Nacogdoches County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
254 days
Last Spring Frost March 7
254 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Nacogdoches County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Oct 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Oct 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Nov 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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Alpine Strawberries needs ~2,362 GDD — county provides 4,445 GDD Excellent fit

Alpine Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Nacogdoches County, TX

Alpine Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Oct 10

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“180 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 6.8

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

254 days

Growing Tips for Nacogdoches County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Nacogdoches County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 7. Plan your Alpine Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nacogdoches County, TX?

Nacogdoches County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 7 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Nacogdoches County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Nacogdoches County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.