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When to Plant Tomatoes in Pecos County, TX

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the most popular home garden crop, available in thousands of varieties from tiny cherries to massive beefsteaks. They are warm-season plants needing full sun.

Pecos County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 247 days.

At an elevation of 1,445 feet, Pecos County receives approximately 42.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 103°F, so Tomatoes may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Tomatoes will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Pecos County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
247 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
247 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Pecos County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.4-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Tomatoes to Grow

10-15 lbs
Average yield per plant
3
Plants per person
6 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 12 tomatoes plants in about 24 sq ft. In Pecos County's 247-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Monthly Watering Guide for Tomatoes

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

Month Tomatoes Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 7.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Tomatoes Planting Timeline — Pecos County, TX

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 23 Jan 23 – Feb 6
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10
Direct Sow March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 10
Harvest May 29 May 29 – Aug 7

Plant 0.5" deep · 24" apart · Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

247 days in Pecos County

Growing Tips for Pecos County

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Bury transplants deep to encourage rooting along the stem. Provide consistent moisture to prevent blossom end rot and cracking.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Fennel
  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Tomatoes Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Scoop seeds from ripe fruit; ferment 2-3 days to remove gel coating.
Storage Store airtight; viable 4-6 years at 35°F, under 45% humidity.

Isolate 25 ft between varieties for purity. Use open-pollinated varieties for true-to-type seeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tomatoes in Pecos County, TX?

Pecos County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pecos County, TX?

Pecos County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 15.

🌱

Your Pecos County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Pecos 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.

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 Pecos 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.