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When to Plant Sunchoke in Taylor County, TX

Sunchokes (Jerusalem artichokes) are a native sunflower relative grown for their knobby, nutty-flavored tubers. They are extremely productive and nearly impossible to eradicate.

Taylor County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 242 days.

At an elevation of 2,238 feet, Taylor County receives approximately 51.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sunchoke during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sunchoke root diseases.

Taylor County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
242 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
242 growing days
First Fall Frost November 17

Taylor County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Oct 11

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 244 gal / 100 sq ft
Sunchoke needs ~2,470 GDD — county provides 4,598 GDD Excellent fit

Sunchoke Planting Timeline โ€” Taylor County, TX

Sunchoke Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Harvest July 24 Jul 24 โ€“ Sep 18

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

110โ€“150 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

242 days

Growing Tips for Taylor County

Plant tubers 4 inches deep in early spring. Contain plants with barriers as they spread aggressively. Harvest after frost or leave in ground and dig as needed through winter.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sunchoke in Taylor County, TX?

Taylor County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Sunchoke planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Taylor County, TX?

Taylor County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Taylor County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Taylor County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.