When to plant strawberry by zone
Fragaria × ananassa is a perennial-season crop that is hardy to frost. Rule of thumb: plant out from 4 weeks before to 1 week before the last frost.
Strawberry planting dates by zone
Each row uses the median 30%-risk frost dates of the major cities in that zone; rows marked * have no major city and use the median of NOAA stations in that zone instead. Frost dates vary a lot within a zone, so use your city page for local dates. In frost-free climates: Oct 1 – Nov 30.
| Zone | Median last frost | Start indoors | Transplant / plant out | Direct sow | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1a* | May 29 | — | May 1 – May 22 | — | — |
| 1b* | May 29 | — | May 1 – May 22 | — | — |
| 2a | May 21 | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | — | — |
| 2b* | May 20 | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | — | — |
| 3a* | Jun 4 | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| 3b* | May 24 | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | — | — |
| 4a | May 12 | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — | — |
| 4b | May 5 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| 5a | May 4 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| 5b | May 4 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| 6a | May 4 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| 6b | Apr 26 | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| 7a | Apr 22 | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| 7b | Apr 10 | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| 8a | Apr 1 | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| 8b | Mar 22 | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | — | — |
| 9a | Mar 11 | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| 9b | Feb 12 | — | Jan 15 – Feb 5 | — | — |
| 10a | Jan 26 | — | Dec 29 – Jan 19 | — | — |
| 10b | Jan 27 | — | Dec 30 – Jan 20 | — | — |
| 11a | Rare | Oct 1 – Nov 30 | |||
| 11b* | Rare | Oct 1 – Nov 30 | |||
| 12a* | Rare | Oct 1 – Nov 30 | |||
| 12b | Rare | Oct 1 – Nov 30 | |||
| 13a* | Rare | Oct 1 – Nov 30 | |||
| 13b* | Rare | Oct 1 – Nov 30 | |||
Growing tips
- Plant dormant crowns with the crown at soil level — not buried.
- June-bearing types fruit the year after planting; remove first-year flowers.
- In mild-winter climates, fall planting of day-neutral types gives a spring crop.
Related guides: which frost date to use · succession and fall planting.
Exact dates for your city
Popular: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, Jacksonville, Fort Worth, San Jose — or browse all cities by state.
Other crops: Tomato, Pepper, Lettuce, Green Beans, Sweet Corn, Zucchini & Summer Squash, Cucumber, Carrot, Onion, Potato, Basil, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Peas, Eggplant, Cabbage, Radish, Beets
Strawberry planting questions
When can I plant strawberry outside?
Set out transplants from 4 weeks before to 1 week before the last frost, once the soil reaches about 40°F (4.4°C). Examples: zone 5a (median last frost May 4): Apr 6 – Apr 27; zone 6b (median last frost Apr 26): Mar 29 – Apr 19; zone 8a (median last frost Apr 1): Mar 4 – Mar 25.
How long does strawberry take to grow?
60–90 days from planting. As a hardy perennial-season crop it grows best in cool weather, so spring plantings should mature before summer heat, and fall plantings need about two extra weeks because days are shorter.
What soil temperature does strawberry need?
At least 40°F (4.4°C) at planting depth. Cold soil slows root growth more than a short delay in planting does, so in a cold spring it pays to wait a week past the usual date. As a hardy crop, strawberry tolerates light frost.
How far apart should I plant strawberry?
Recommended in-row spacing: 12–18 in. Plant dormant crowns with the crown at soil level — not buried.
When do you plant strawberry where frost is rare?
In frost-free climates, plant strawberry Oct 1 – Nov 30, timing growth for the mildest months. This applies to cities such as Los Angeles, CA, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA.