When to Plant Stevia in Mason County, TX
May in the garden — Mason County, Texas
Each item below is timed to Mason County, Texas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Fire up the seed-starting tray: stevia
Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.
June prep starts now
- First harvests: stevia
Stevia is a subtropical herb whose leaves contain natural sweeteners 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. It is grown as an annual in most climates.
Mason County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.
At an elevation of 4,557 feet, Mason County receives approximately 49.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Stevia during the growing season.
Mason County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-7.5
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 Mason County
How your county's soil matches Stevia's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–7.5) is within Stevia's preferred range (6.5–7.5).
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Mason County is excellent for Stevia — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Stevia.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Stevia.
How to Plant Stevia
Succession Planting Stevia
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 13 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Stevia
Stevia 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 | Stevia Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 2.2" | 2.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 2.2" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 7.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 8.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 6.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 3.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 2.2" | 1.5" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Mason County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Stevia 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.
Stevia Planting Timeline — Mason County, TX
Stevia Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 4 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 8 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Direct Sow | April 1 | Apr 1 – Apr 22 |
| Harvest | June 10 | Jun 10 – Aug 19 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| 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 6.5–7.5 · Your soil: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
231 days in Mason County
Growing Tips for Stevia in Mason County
Direct sow Stevia outdoors after March 25 in Mason County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Stevia in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
Start seeds indoors under lights or buy transplants. Pinch flowers to encourage leaf production. Harvest leaves before flowering for maximum sweetness. Dry leaves for year-round use.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Stevia in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Stevia in Mason County, TX?
Mason County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Stevia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Mason County, TX?
Mason County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 11.
Your Mason County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Mason 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.