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When to Plant Alpine Strawberries in Jeff Davis County, TX

Jeff Davis County, Texas Zone 8a June

June to-do list for Jeff Davis County, Texas

June is a pivotal month for Jeff Davis County, Texas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 3
Avg. first frost November 1
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs

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Alpine strawberries are small, intensely flavored wild-type strawberries that fruit continuously from spring to frost. They do not produce runners and make excellent edging plants.

Jeff Davis County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 212 days.

At an elevation of 4,298 feet, Jeff Davis County receives approximately 52.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Alpine Strawberries may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Alpine Strawberries will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Alpine Strawberries root diseases.

Jeff Davis County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
212 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
212 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Jeff Davis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Alpine Strawberries Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Oct 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Nov 6
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Nov 25

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 Jeff Davis County

How your county's soil matches Alpine Strawberries's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.2–8.7) is more alkaline than Alpine Strawberries prefers (5.5–6.8). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Jeff Davis County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Alpine Strawberries will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Alpine Strawberries.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.1%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Alpine Strawberries.

How to Plant Alpine Strawberries

12"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Alpine Strawberries Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 593 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Alpine Strawberries

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

Month Alpine Strawberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 8.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 11.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Alpine Strawberries 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.

Alpine Strawberries needs ~2,970 GDD — county provides 4,664 GDD Excellent fit

Alpine Strawberries Planting Timeline — Jeff Davis County, TX

Alpine Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 – May 8
Harvest July 24 Jul 24 – Nov 6

· 12" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

90–180 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.8 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

212 days in Jeff Davis County

Growing Tips for Alpine Strawberries in Jeff Davis County

Direct sow Alpine Strawberries outdoors after April 03 in Jeff Davis County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

With summer highs reaching 96°F in Jeff Davis County, provide afternoon shade for Alpine Strawberries and water deeply in the morning.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before transplanting. Unlike regular strawberries, alpines do not spread by runners. Harvest tiny, intensely aromatic berries frequently. Grow well in partial shade.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Alpine Strawberries in Jeff Davis County, TX?

Jeff Davis County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Alpine Strawberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jeff Davis County, TX?

Jeff Davis County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 1.

🌱

Your Jeff Davis County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jeff Davis 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.

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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 Jeff Davis County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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