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When to Plant Rue in Texas County, OK

Texas County, Oklahoma Zone 6b May

May to-do list for Texas County, Oklahoma

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Texas County, Oklahoma this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 16
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 64°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs

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Rue is a bitter, aromatic perennial herb with bluish-green foliage used historically in medicine and as a pest deterrent. Handle with care as its sap can cause skin irritation.

Texas County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 870 feet, Texas County receives approximately 20.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Rue during the growing season.

Texas County, OK (Zone 6b) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20
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Texas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 19

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.

Soil Compatibility in Texas County

How your county's soil matches Rue's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.8) overlaps with Rue's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Texas County is excellent for Rue — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) — Rue will thrive.

How to Plant Rue

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Rue

3
successive plantings in your 187-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 22 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 88 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Rue

Rue needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Rue Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
May 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 1.4" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Texas County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Rue Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Rue needs ~1,340 GDD — county provides 3,132 GDD Excellent fit

Rue Planting Timeline — Texas County, OK

Rue Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 – May 7
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 – Sep 3

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

187 days in Texas County

Growing Tips for Rue in Texas County

Direct sow Rue outdoors after April 16 in Texas County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Texas County receives only 20" of rain annually. Rue needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors or direct sow. Plant in well-drained soil. Wear gloves when handling as sap can cause phytophotodermatitis. Prune in early spring.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Basil
  • Sage

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rue in Texas County, OK?

Texas County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Rue planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Texas County, OK?

Texas County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 20.

🌱

Your Texas County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Texas County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Texas County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.