Blog

When to Plant Alpine Strawberries in Pulaski County, IN

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.

Pulaski County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 764 feet, Pulaski County receives approximately 31.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Alpine Strawberries during the growing season.

Pulaski County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Pulaski County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 24
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 31
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Nov 12

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
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 388 gal / 100 sq ft
Alpine Strawberries needs ~1,856 GDD — county provides 2,406 GDD Good fit

Alpine Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Pulaski County, IN

Alpine Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 16 May 16 โ€“ May 30
Harvest August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Oct 31

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

175 days

Growing Tips for Pulaski 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 Pulaski County, IN?

Pulaski County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Alpine Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pulaski County, IN?

Pulaski County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pulaski County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Pulaski County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.