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When to Plant Potatoes in Frio 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.

Frio County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 273 days.

At an elevation of 3,892 feet, Frio County receives approximately 51 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Potatoes root diseases.

Frio County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
273 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
273 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Frio County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 26 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 8 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 22

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,264 gal / 100 sq ft
Potatoes needs ~1,876 GDD — county provides 5,411 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Frio County, TX

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 8 Jan 8 โ€“ Jan 22
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 26
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jul 30

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

273 days

Growing Tips for Frio 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 Frio County, TX?

Frio County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Frio County, TX?

Frio County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is November 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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