When to Plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Lampasas County, TX
July to-do list for Lampasas County, Texas
Each item below is timed to Lampasas County, Texas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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It's harvest week for sedum (stonecrop)
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
A few tasks this July that'll pay off in August
- First harvests: sedum (stonecrop)
Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile, formerly Sedum spectabile) is a supremely tough, drought-tolerant perennial prized for its late-season interest. The flat-topped clusters of starry flowers open pink in late summer and deepen to copper-red as temperatures cool, remaining attractive well into fall and providing seed heads that feed birds through winter. Succulent foliage emerges blue-green in spring, is handsome all season, and turns bronzy after frost. Remarkably adaptable — thrives in poor, gravelly, or sandy soils where other perennials struggle — and virtually maintenance-free once established.
Lampasas County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.
At an elevation of 1,908 feet, Lampasas County receives approximately 59.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Sedum (Stonecrop) may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Sedum (Stonecrop), but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sedum (Stonecrop) root diseases.
Lampasas County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Clay
Soil pH
6.8-8.1
Drainage
Well Drained
Sedum (Stonecrop) 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 Lampasas County
How your county's soil matches Sedum (Stonecrop)'s growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–8.1) is more alkaline than Sedum (Stonecrop) prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
Heavy clay soil (46% clay) in Lampasas County compacts easily and drains slowly. Amend with compost and avoid working soil when wet.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Sedum (Stonecrop).
How to Plant Sedum (Stonecrop)
Succession Planting Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 14 to harvest before frost.
Sedum (Stonecrop) Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sedum (Stonecrop) 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 | Sedum (Stonecrop) Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 2.2" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 2.2" | 6.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 8.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 10.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 7.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 5.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 2.2" | 1.7" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Lampasas County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Sedum (Stonecrop) 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.
Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Timeline — Lampasas County, TX
Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 24 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Bloom | July 11 | Jul 11 – Oct 3 |
Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Transplant Outdoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
60–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
236 days in Lampasas County
Growing Tips for Sedum (Stonecrop) in Lampasas County
Direct sow Sedum (Stonecrop) outdoors after March 21 in Lampasas County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
With Lampasas County's clay soil (46% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Sedum (Stonecrop). Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.
General growing tips
Plant divisions or container plants in spring after frost danger passes, or in early fall. Excellent drainage is the primary requirement — upright border sedums will rot in wet, heavy soils over winter. Lean soil actually improves performance; avoid over-fertilizing which causes floppy stems. Tall cultivars (Autumn Joy, Matrona) may need light staking in rich soil. Divide every 3–4 years in spring when centers become sparse. Deadhead selectively — leaving seed heads through winter extends ornamental interest and feeds goldfinches. Very low water requirement once established. Year 2+ plants reach full clump size and peak bloom display.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Sedum (Stonecrop) in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Lampasas County, TX?
Lampasas County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Sedum (Stonecrop) planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lampasas County, TX?
Lampasas County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 12.
Your Lampasas County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Lampasas 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.