When to Plant Alpine Strawberries in La Salle County, TX
La Salle County, Texas gardeners: here's your May plan
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for La Salle County, Texas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Basket week: alpine strawberries
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- First harvests: alpine strawberries
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.
La Salle County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost is December 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 292 days.
At an elevation of 2,270 feet, La Salle County receives approximately 57.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Alpine Strawberries during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Alpine Strawberries root diseases.
La Salle County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-7.6
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 La Salle County
How your county's soil matches Alpine Strawberries's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–7.6) is more alkaline than Alpine Strawberries prefers (5.5–6.8). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in La Salle County is excellent for Alpine Strawberries — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Alpine Strawberries.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.0%). Annual compost additions will help Alpine Strawberries.
How to Plant Alpine Strawberries
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | 4.3" | 2" | 2.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Mar | 4.3" | 3.4" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Apr | 4.3" | 5.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 4.3" | 7.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 10.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 7.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 5.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 2" | 2.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Dec | 4.3" | 1.6" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in La Salle 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 Planting Timeline — La Salle County, TX
Alpine Strawberries Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | February 28 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Harvest | May 30 | May 30 – Sep 12 |
· 12" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Transplant Outdoors |
| March | Transplant Outdoors |
| April | — |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| 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 9a
📆 Growing Season
292 days in La Salle County
Growing Tips for Alpine Strawberries in La Salle County
Direct sow Alpine Strawberries outdoors after February 14 in La Salle County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Alpine Strawberries in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Alpine Strawberries in La Salle County, TX?
La Salle County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 14. Plan your Alpine Strawberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is La Salle County, TX?
La Salle County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and first fall frost is December 3.
Your La Salle County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for La Salle 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.