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When to Plant Alpine Strawberries in Worth County, IA

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.

Worth County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 160 days.

At an elevation of 886 feet, Worth County receives approximately 39.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Alpine Strawberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Worth County, IA (Zone 4b) Moderate season
160 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
160 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Worth County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 21 – Oct 16
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Oct 22
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Sep 11 – Nov 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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Alpine Strawberries needs ~1,755 GDD — county provides 2,080 GDD Good fit

Alpine Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Worth County, IA

Alpine Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 11
Harvest August 27 Aug 27 โ€“ Oct 22

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
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 4b

Growing Season

160 days

Growing Tips for Worth 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 Worth County, IA?

Worth County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Alpine Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Worth County, IA?

Worth County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Worth County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Worth County, IA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.