Blog

When to Plant Echinacea in Concho County, TX

Echinacea (purple coneflower) is a native prairie perennial valued for its immune-supporting properties and beautiful daisy-like flowers that attract pollinators.

Concho County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.

At an elevation of 3,848 feet, Concho County receives approximately 58.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Echinacea during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Echinacea root diseases.

Concho County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
232 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
232 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Concho County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Oct 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Nov 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Nov 30

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
0.5″/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

Echinacea needs ~2,962 GDD — county provides 4,582 GDD Excellent fit

Echinacea Planting Timeline โ€” Concho County, TX

Echinacea Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Nov 11

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

120โ€“180 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

232 days

Growing Tips for Concho County

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost or direct sow in fall for spring germination. Seeds need cold stratification. Deadhead to prolong blooming or leave seed heads for birds.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Echinacea in Concho County, TX?

Concho County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Echinacea planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Concho County, TX?

Concho County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Concho 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 Concho County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.