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When to Plant Potatoes in Fayette 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.

Fayette County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 27 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 274 days.

At an elevation of 57 feet, Fayette County receives approximately 70 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Potatoes, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Potatoes root diseases.

Fayette County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
274 days
Last Spring Frost February 27
274 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Fayette County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 27 Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jul 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 9 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 24

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
Potatoes needs ~1,734 GDD — county provides 5,018 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Fayette County, TX

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 9 Jan 9 โ€“ Jan 23
Transplant Outdoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Direct Sow March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 27
Harvest May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jul 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 8b

Growing Season

274 days

Growing Tips for Fayette 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 Fayette County, TX?

Fayette County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 27. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fayette County, TX?

Fayette County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 27 and first fall frost is November 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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