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When to Plant Potatoes in Cooke 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.

Cooke County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.

At an elevation of 1,818 feet, Cooke County receives approximately 69.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Potatoes root diseases.

Cooke County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
230 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
230 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Cooke County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 16

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Potatoes needs ~1,520 GDD — county provides 3,680 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Cooke County, TX

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

230 days

Growing Tips for Cooke 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 Cooke County, TX?

Cooke County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cooke County, TX?

Cooke County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cooke County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Cooke County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.