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When to Plant Mint in Jim Hogg County, TX

Mint is a vigorous perennial herb with refreshing, aromatic leaves used in teas, cocktails, and cooking. It spreads aggressively by underground runners.

Jim Hogg County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 16 and the first fall frost is December 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 292 days.

At an elevation of 4,270 feet, Jim Hogg County receives approximately 59.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Mint may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mint root diseases.

Jim Hogg County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
292 days
Last Spring Frost February 16
292 growing days
First Fall Frost December 5

Jim Hogg County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (163 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 2 🍅 Harvest: Apr 6 – Jun 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – Jul 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (140 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Aug 4

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 Jim Hogg County

How your county's soil matches Mint's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.3) overlaps with Mint's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Jim Hogg County is excellent for Mint โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Mint.

How to Plant Mint

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Mint

5
successive plantings in your 292-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 06 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Mint

Mint needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Mint Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 3" 2" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Mar 3" 3.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3" 6.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 9.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 10.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 6.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 6.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 5.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 3.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 2" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec 3" 1.4" 1.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering

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

Mint 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.

Mint needs ~1,650 GDD — county provides 6,446 GDD Excellent fit

Mint Planting Timeline โ€” Jim Hogg County, TX

Mint Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Harvest April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ Jul 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.7"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

292 days in Jim Hogg County

Growing Tips for Mint in Jim Hogg County

Direct sow Mint outdoors after February 16 in Jim Hogg County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 96ยฐF in Jim Hogg County, provide afternoon shade for Mint and water deeply in the morning.

General growing tips

Always grow mint in containers or with underground barriers to control spreading. Harvest regularly to keep plants compact. Cut plants back in late summer for a fresh fall flush.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Parsley

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mint in Jim Hogg County, TX?

Jim Hogg County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 16. Plan your Mint planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jim Hogg County, TX?

Jim Hogg County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 16 and first fall frost is December 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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