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When to Plant Tomatoes in Runnels County, TX

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.

Runnels County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 241 days.

At an elevation of 4,833 feet, Runnels County receives approximately 47.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tomatoes during the growing season.

Runnels County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
241 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
241 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Runnels County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 19 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Sep 6

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 366 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatoes needs ~1,269 GDD — county provides 4,217 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Runnels County, TX

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 โ€“ Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Aug 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“85 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

241 days

Growing Tips for Runnels 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

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ 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 35ยฐF, 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 Runnels County, TX?

Runnels County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Runnels County, TX?

Runnels County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Runnels County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.