Blog

When to Plant Strawberries in Kimble County, TX

Kimble County, Texas Zone 8a May

Your May planting checklist for Kimble County, Texas

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

Avg. last frost March 28
Avg. first frost November 10
Soil temp (4") 59°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Strawberries are a beloved perennial fruit available as June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral types. They are one of the easiest fruits to grow in containers or garden beds.

Kimble County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 4,850 feet, Kimble County receives approximately 57.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Strawberries may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Strawberries root diseases.

Kimble County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Kimble County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Dec 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (312 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Jan 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (311 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Jan 22

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 Kimble County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.6) is more alkaline than Strawberries prefers (5.5–6.8). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Kimble County is excellent for Strawberries — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Strawberries.

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Strawberries

12"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

How Much Strawberries to Grow

1 lb
Average yield per plant
10
Plants per person
20 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 40 strawberries plants in about 80 sq ft. In Kimble County's 227-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 481 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Strawberries

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 Strawberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 8.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 10" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

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.

Strawberries needs ~5,176 GDD — county provides 5,164 GDD Tight fit

Strawberries Planting Timeline — Kimble County, TX

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 – Jan 2

· 12" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

90–365 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.8 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

227 days in Kimble County

Growing Tips for Strawberries in Kimble County

Direct sow Strawberries outdoors after March 28 in Kimble County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 97°F in Kimble County, provide afternoon shade for Strawberries and water deeply in the morning.

Your 227.0-day growing season in Kimble County is tight for Strawberries (90.0-365.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant with crowns at soil level. Remove runners the first year to strengthen plants. Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean and suppress weeds. Renovate June-bearing beds after harvest.

Recommended Strawberries Varieties for Kimble County

Everbearing varieties that produce through your long season

Seascape Albion San Andreas

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Strawberries in Kimble County, TX?

Kimble County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kimble County, TX?

Kimble County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 10.

🌱

Your Kimble County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Kimble 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 Kimble 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.