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When to Plant Medlar in Camp County, TX

Camp County, Texas Zone 8b May

Your May game plan for Camp County, Texas

Each item below is timed to Camp County, Texas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 14
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs

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Medlar is a small ornamental tree producing unusual open-ended fruits that must be bletted (softened by frost) before eating. The flavor is complex, like spiced apple butter.

Camp County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 285 feet, Camp County receives approximately 61.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Medlar during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Medlar will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Medlar root diseases.

Camp County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Camp County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 27

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 Camp County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.3) is more acidic than Medlar prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Camp County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Medlar will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Medlar.

How to Plant Medlar

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Medlar

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

Month Medlar Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 8.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 10.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Medlar 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.

Medlar needs ~27,740 GDD — county provides 4,617 GDD May not mature

Medlar Planting Timeline — Camp County, TX

Medlar Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

243 days in Camp County

Growing Tips for Medlar in Camp County

Direct sow Medlar outdoors after March 14 in Camp County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Camp County dries quickly — mulch Medlar with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Your 243.0-day growing season in Camp County is tight for Medlar (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant in well-drained soil. Medlars are self-fertile and need minimal pruning. Harvest after the first frost and allow to soften (blet) indoors for 2-3 weeks before eating.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Medlar in Camp County, TX?

Camp County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Medlar planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Camp County, TX?

Camp County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 12.

🌱

Your Camp County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Camp 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.

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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 Camp 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.