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When to Plant Potatoes in Cass County, TX

Potatoes are a versatile staple crop that produces tubers underground. They come in hundreds of varieties with varying colors, textures, and maturity dates.

Cass County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 247 days.

At an elevation of 392 feet, Cass County receives approximately 71.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Potatoes will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Potatoes root diseases.

Cass County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
247 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
247 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Cass County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Sep 6

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
1.2″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 178 gal / 100 sq ft
Potatoes needs ~1,948 GDD — county provides 5,063 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Cass County, TX

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 24 Jan 24 โ€“ Feb 7
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 11
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Aug 15

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

70โ€“120 days

Soil pH

5 โ€“ 6.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

247 days

Growing Tips for Cass County

Plant seed potatoes (not grocery store potatoes) 4 inches deep in spring. Hill soil around stems as plants grow to prevent greening. Stop watering when plants die back.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumber
  • Squash Summer

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Potatoes in Cass County, TX?

Cass County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cass County, TX?

Cass County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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