When to Plant Begonias in Archer County, TX
Your August gardening checklist
Welcome to August in Zone 8a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Collect begonias at their peak
Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.
Before September arrives, get these ready
- First harvests: begonias
Wax begonias (Begonia × semperflorens) are the workhorse shade bedding plant of American horticulture, offering continuous bloom from transplant to hard frost. Bronze or green-leaved varieties perform well from deep shade to full sun (in northern zones) and tolerate summer humidity better than most cool- season flowers. A staple of mass plantings, containers, and window boxes.
Archer County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 240 days.
At an elevation of 2,151 feet, Archer County receives approximately 59.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Begonias during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Begonias root diseases.
Archer County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.4-7.5
Drainage
Well Drained
Begonias Planting Risk Windows
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 Archer County
How your county's soil matches Begonias's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.4–7.5) is more alkaline than Begonias prefers (5.5–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Archer County is excellent for Begonias — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Begonias.
How to Plant Begonias
Succession Planting Begonias
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 17 to harvest before frost.
Begonias Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Begonias
Begonias needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Begonias Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Apr | 4.3" | 6.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 4.3" | 8.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 10" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 6.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 7.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 5.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 2.3" | 2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Archer County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Begonias 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.
Begonias Planting Timeline — Archer County, TX
Begonias Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 9 | Jan 9 – Jan 23 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Bloom | May 22 | May 22 – Oct 9 |
· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | — |
| March | Transplant Outdoors |
| April | — |
| May | Bloom |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
70–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
240 days in Archer County
Growing Tips for Begonias in Archer County
Direct sow Begonias outdoors after March 20 in Archer County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — seed is dust-fine; surface-sow on moist mix under lights, do not cover. Bottom heat (70–75°F) speeds germination. Transplant after frost; begonias are not direct-sown in practice. Pinch seedlings once for branching. Keep soil evenly moist; avoid waterlogged conditions. Bronze-leaf types tolerate more sun; green- leaf types prefer shade to part-sun.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Begonias in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Begonias in Archer County, TX?
Archer County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Begonias planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Archer County, TX?
Archer County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 15.
Your Archer County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Archer 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.