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When to Plant Strawberries in Throckmorton County, TX

Throckmorton County, Texas Zone 8a May

May in Throckmorton County, Texas — your action list

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 31
Avg. first frost November 9
Soil temp (4") 54°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.7 hrs

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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.

Throckmorton County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 4,952 feet, Throckmorton County receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Strawberries root diseases.

Throckmorton County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Throckmorton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Dec 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (308 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Jan 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (306 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Jan 21

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 Throckmorton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.2) is more alkaline than Strawberries prefers (5.5–6.8). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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 Throckmorton County's 223-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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 8.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 11.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Throckmorton 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 ~3,811 GDD — county provides 3,735 GDD Tight fit

Strawberries Planting Timeline — Throckmorton County, TX

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 – May 5
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 – Jan 5

· 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 · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–365 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.8 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

223 days in Throckmorton County

Growing Tips for Strawberries in Throckmorton County

Direct sow Strawberries outdoors after March 31 in Throckmorton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 223.0-day growing season in Throckmorton 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 Throckmorton 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 Throckmorton County, TX?

Throckmorton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Throckmorton County, TX?

Throckmorton County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 9.

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Your Throckmorton County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Throckmorton 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.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Throckmorton 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.