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When to Plant Potatoes in Borden County, TX

Potatoes

Potatoes are a versatile staple crop that produces tubers underground. They come in hundreds of varieties with varying colors, textures, and maturity dates.

Borden County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 4,231 feet, Borden County receives approximately 47.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 101°F, so Potatoes may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Potatoes will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Borden County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Borden County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Potatoes to Grow

3-5 lbs
Average yield per plant
5
Plants per person
10 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 20 potatoes plants in about 40 sq ft. In Borden County's 227-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Monthly Watering Guide for Potatoes

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

Month Potatoes Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 7.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 9.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Potatoes Planting Timeline — Borden County, TX

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 8 Feb 8 – Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 – Apr 26
Direct Sow April 5 Apr 5 – Apr 26
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 – Aug 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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

70–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5–6.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

227 days in Borden County

Growing Tips for Borden County

Plant seed potatoes (not grocery store potatoes) 4 inches deep in spring. Hill soil around stems as plants grow to prevent greening. Stop watering when plants die back.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumber
  • Squash Summer

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Potatoes in Borden County, TX?

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

What planting zone is Borden County, TX?

Borden County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 11.

🌱

Your Borden County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Borden 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.

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 Borden County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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