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When to Plant Alpine Strawberries in Leslie County, KY

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.

Leslie County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 2,667 feet, Leslie County receives approximately 45 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Alpine Strawberries during the growing season.

Leslie County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Leslie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Nov 18
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Nov 25
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Dec 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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Alpine Strawberries needs ~2,261 GDD — county provides 3,031 GDD Excellent fit

Alpine Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Leslie County, KY

Alpine Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 โ€“ May 27
Harvest August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Nov 25

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 Harvest
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 6b

Growing Season

181 days

Growing Tips for Leslie 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 Leslie County, KY?

Leslie County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Alpine Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Leslie County, KY?

Leslie County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Leslie County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Leslie County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.