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When to Plant Alpine Strawberries in Collier County, FL

Alpine strawberries are small, intensely flavored wild-type strawberries that fruit continuously from spring to frost. They do not produce runners and make excellent edging plants.

Collier County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 12 and the first fall frost is April 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 93 days.

At an elevation of 185 feet, Collier County receives approximately 61.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Alpine Strawberries during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Alpine Strawberries will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Alpine Strawberries root diseases.

Collier County, FL (Zone 10a) Very short season
93 days
Last Spring Frost January 12
93 growing days
First Fall Frost April 15

Collier County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 20 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Sep 7

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,932 gal / 100 sq ft
Alpine Strawberries needs ~1,856 GDD — county provides 5,018 GDD Excellent fit

Alpine Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Collier County, FL

Alpine Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors January 26 Jan 26 โ€“ Feb 9
Harvest April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ Aug 10

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“180 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 6.8

USDA Zone

Zone 10a

Growing Season

93 days

Growing Tips for Collier County

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before transplanting. Unlike regular strawberries, alpines do not spread by runners. Harvest tiny, intensely aromatic berries frequently. Grow well in partial shade.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Alpine Strawberries in Collier County, FL?

Collier County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of January 12. Plan your Alpine Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Collier County, FL?

Collier County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 12 and first fall frost is .

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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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 Collier County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.