Blog

When to Plant Ground Cherry in Bandera County, TX

Ground cherries produce small, sweet, tropical-tasting berries enclosed in papery husks. They are related to tomatillos and cape gooseberries and self-sow readily.

Bandera County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.

At an elevation of 4,846 feet, Bandera County receives approximately 53.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Ground Cherry during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Ground Cherry root diseases.

Bandera County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
252 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
252 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Bandera County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Ground Cherry Planting Timeline — Bandera County, TX

Ground Cherry Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 – Aug 3

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

65–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

252 days in Bandera County

Growing Tips for Bandera County

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Let fruits fall to the ground naturally when ripe inside their husks. The husk turns brown and papery when the fruit is ready.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Ground Cherry in Bandera County, TX?

Bandera County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Ground Cherry planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bandera County, TX?

Bandera County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 16.

🌱

Your Bandera County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Bandera County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Bandera County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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