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When to Plant Alpine Strawberries in Dixie 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.

Dixie County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 257 days.

At an elevation of 428 feet, Dixie County receives approximately 55.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, so Alpine Strawberries may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Dixie County, FL (Zone 9a) Long season
257 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
257 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23

Dixie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Oct 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Oct 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Oct 23

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,097 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Alpine Strawberries needs ~3,476 GDD — county provides 6,617 GDD Excellent fit

Alpine Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Dixie County, FL

Alpine Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Oct 7

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 9a

Growing Season

257 days

Growing Tips for Dixie 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 Dixie County, FL?

Dixie County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Alpine Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dixie County, FL?

Dixie County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 23.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dixie County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Dixie County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.