When to Plant Begonias in Travis County, TX
June in the garden — Travis County, Texas
Welcome to June in Zone 9a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Bring in the begonias
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
July prep starts now
- First harvests: begonias
Wax begonias (Begonia × semperflorens) are the workhorse shade bedding plant of American horticulture, offering continuous bloom from transplant to hard frost. Bronze or green-leaved varieties perform well from deep shade to full sun (in northern zones) and tolerate summer humidity better than most cool- season flowers. A staple of mass plantings, containers, and window boxes.
Travis County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 262 days.
At an elevation of 3,682 feet, Travis County receives approximately 66.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Begonias during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Begonias, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Begonias root diseases.
Travis County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Clay
Soil pH
6.8-8.4
Drainage
Well Drained
Begonias 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 Travis County
How your county's soil matches Begonias's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–8.4) is more alkaline than Begonias prefers (5.5–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
Your clay soil in Travis County is workable for Begonias. Add compost annually to improve structure.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Begonias.
How to Plant Begonias
Succession Planting Begonias
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 25 to harvest before frost.
Begonias Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Begonias
Begonias needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Begonias Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 4.3" | 6.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 4.3" | 11.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 9.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 8.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 8.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 5.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Travis County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Begonias 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.
Begonias Planting Timeline — Travis County, TX
Begonias Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 26 | Dec 26 – Jan 9 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 13 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Bloom | April 24 | Apr 24 – Oct 23 |
· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Transplant Outdoors |
| March | — |
| April | Bloom |
| May | Bloom |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | — |
| December | Start Indoors |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
70–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9a
📆 Growing Season
262 days in Travis County
Growing Tips for Begonias in Travis County
Direct sow Begonias outdoors after March 06 in Travis County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
With Travis County's clay soil (37% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Begonias. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.
General growing tips
Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — seed is dust-fine; surface-sow on moist mix under lights, do not cover. Bottom heat (70–75°F) speeds germination. Transplant after frost; begonias are not direct-sown in practice. Pinch seedlings once for branching. Keep soil evenly moist; avoid waterlogged conditions. Bronze-leaf types tolerate more sun; green- leaf types prefer shade to part-sun.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Begonias in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Begonias in Travis County, TX?
Travis County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Begonias planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Travis County, TX?
Travis County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 23.
Your Travis County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Travis 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.