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When to Plant Potatoes in Pecos 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.

Pecos County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 247 days.

At an elevation of 1,445 feet, Pecos County receives approximately 42.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, so Potatoes may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Pecos County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
247 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
247 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Pecos County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.4-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 14 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Aug 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 9

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 745 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Potatoes needs ~2,589 GDD — county provides 6,730 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Pecos County, TX

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 23 Jan 23 โ€“ Feb 6
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Direct Sow March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 10
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Aug 14

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 7b

Growing Season

247 days

Growing Tips for Pecos 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 Pecos County, TX?

Pecos County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pecos County, TX?

Pecos County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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