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When to Plant Strawberries in Aransas County, TX

Aransas County, Texas Zone 9b May

This month in Aransas County, Texas

May is a pivotal month for Aransas County, Texas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost February 10
Avg. first frost December 12
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for strawberries

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

June prep starts now
  • First harvests: strawberries

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Strawberries are a beloved perennial fruit available as June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral types. They are one of the easiest fruits to grow in containers or garden beds.

Aransas County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 10 and the first fall frost is December 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 305 days.

At an elevation of 173 feet, Aransas County receives approximately 67.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 104°F, so Strawberries may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Strawberries root diseases.

Aransas County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
305 days
Last Spring Frost February 10
305 growing days
First Fall Frost December 12

Aransas 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 (5 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 1 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Nov 29
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Feb 24 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Dec 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (335 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Jan 20

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 Aransas County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.7) is more alkaline than Strawberries prefers (5.5–6.8). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Strawberries.

How to Plant Strawberries

12"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

How Much Strawberries to Grow

1 lb
Average yield per plant
10
Plants per person
20 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 40 strawberries plants in about 80 sq ft. In Aransas County's 305-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 204 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Strawberries

Strawberries needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Strawberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Mar 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 10.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 12" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering

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

Strawberries 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.

Strawberries needs ~6,370 GDD — county provides 8,568 GDD Excellent fit

Strawberries Planting Timeline — Aransas County, TX

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 24 Feb 24 – Mar 10
Harvest May 26 May 26 – Dec 22

· 12" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

90–365 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.8 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

305 days in Aransas County

Growing Tips for Strawberries in Aransas County

Direct sow Strawberries outdoors after February 10 in Aransas County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 104°F in Aransas County, provide afternoon shade for Strawberries and water deeply in the morning.

Your 306.0-day growing season in Aransas County is tight for Strawberries (90.0-365.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant with crowns at soil level. Remove runners the first year to strengthen plants. Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean and suppress weeds. Renovate June-bearing beds after harvest.

Recommended Strawberries Varieties for Aransas County

Everbearing varieties that produce through your long season

Seascape Albion San Andreas

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Strawberries in Aransas County, TX?

Aransas County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 10. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Aransas County, TX?

Aransas County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 10 and first fall frost is December 12.

🌱

Your Aransas County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Aransas County (Zone 9b). 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 Aransas County, TX. 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.