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When to Plant Mint in Camp County, TX

Camp County, Texas Zone 8b May

Top priorities for Camp County, Texas gardeners in May

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

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

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

Before June arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: mint

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Mint is a vigorous perennial herb with refreshing, aromatic leaves used in teas, cocktails, and cooking. It spreads aggressively by underground runners.

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 Mint during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Mint will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mint 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 (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 24

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 Mint's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.3) is more acidic than Mint prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Camp County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Mint 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 Mint.

How to Plant Mint

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Mint

4
successive plantings in your 243-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 14 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Mint

Mint needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Mint Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 8.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 10.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 8.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 1.8" 1.2" 💧 Light 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.

Mint 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.

Mint needs ~1,425 GDD — county provides 4,617 GDD Excellent fit

Mint Planting Timeline — Camp County, TX

Mint Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 4
Harvest May 23 May 23 – Aug 1

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

243 days in Camp County

Growing Tips for Mint in Camp County

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

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

General growing tips

Always grow mint in containers or with underground barriers to control spreading. Harvest regularly to keep plants compact. Cut plants back in late summer for a fresh fall flush.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Parsley

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mint in Camp County, TX?

Camp County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Mint 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.