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When to Plant Potatoes in Stephens 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.

Stephens County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 3,055 feet, Stephens County receives approximately 63.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Potatoes root diseases.

Stephens County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Stephens County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Sep 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 17

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Potatoes needs ~1,805 GDD — county provides 4,180 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Stephens County, TX

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Sep 5

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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

220 days

Growing Tips for Stephens 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 Stephens County, TX?

Stephens County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stephens County, TX?

Stephens County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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