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When to Plant Potatoes in Wilson 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.

Wilson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 266 days.

At an elevation of 2,660 feet, Wilson County receives approximately 62.3 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.

Wilson County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
266 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
266 growing days
First Fall Frost November 25

Wilson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 2 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 14 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 31

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 899 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Potatoes needs ~1,876 GDD — county provides 5,253 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Wilson County, TX

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 14 Jan 14 โ€“ Jan 28
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Apr 1
Harvest May 27 May 27 โ€“ Aug 5

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
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 8b

Growing Season

266 days

Growing Tips for Wilson 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 Wilson County, TX?

Wilson County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wilson County, TX?

Wilson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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