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When to Plant Goji Berries in Frio County, TX

Frio County, Texas Zone 9a May

Your May game plan for Frio County, Texas

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Frio County, Texas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost February 26
Avg. first frost November 26
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs

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Goji berries are a deciduous shrub producing small, bright red berries valued as a superfood. The plants are extremely hardy and drought-tolerant once established.

Frio County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 273 days.

At an elevation of 3,892 feet, Frio County receives approximately 51 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Goji Berries during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Goji Berries root diseases.

Frio County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
273 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
273 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26
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Frio County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Feb 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 4

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 Frio County

How your county's soil matches Goji Berries's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.2) overlaps with Goji Berries's range (6.5–8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Frio County is excellent for Goji Berries — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Goji Berries.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Goji Berries.

How to Plant Goji Berries

48"
Between Plants
72"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Goji Berries

Goji Berries needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Goji Berries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Mar 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 9.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Goji Berries 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.

Goji Berries needs ~18,022 GDD — county provides 5,411 GDD May not mature

Goji Berries Planting Timeline — Frio County, TX

Goji Berries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 – Mar 26

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.5–8 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

273 days in Frio County

Growing Tips for Goji Berries in Frio County

Direct sow Goji Berries outdoors after February 26 in Frio County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 274.0-day growing season in Frio County is tight for Goji Berries (730.0-1095.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Common pests for Goji Berries in this region include tomato hornworm and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Plant in well-drained soil in full sun. Prune annually to manage the arching, somewhat wild growth habit. Berries ripen over an extended period in summer and fall. Can be trellised.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Goji Berries in Frio County, TX?

Frio County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Goji Berries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Frio County, TX?

Frio County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is November 26.

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Your Frio County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Frio County (Zone 9a). 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 Frio 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.