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When to Plant Sunchoke in Andrews County, TX

Sunchokes (Jerusalem artichokes) are a native sunflower relative grown for their knobby, nutty-flavored tubers. They are extremely productive and nearly impossible to eradicate.

Andrews County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 1,776 feet, Andrews County receives approximately 52.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 100°F, so Sunchoke may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Sunchoke will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sunchoke root diseases.

Andrews County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7

Andrews County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Sunchoke Planting Timeline — Andrews County, TX

Sunchoke Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 – Apr 26
Harvest August 2 Aug 2 – Sep 27

Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

110–150 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

223 days in Andrews County

Growing Tips for Andrews County

Plant tubers 4 inches deep in early spring. Contain plants with barriers as they spread aggressively. Harvest after frost or leave in ground and dig as needed through winter.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sunchoke in Andrews County, TX?

Andrews County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Sunchoke planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Andrews County, TX?

Andrews County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 7.

🌱

Your Andrews County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Andrews County (Zone 8a). 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 Andrews County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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