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When to Plant Alpine Strawberries in Fulton County, NY

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.

Fulton County, New York is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 143 days.

At an elevation of 566 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 46.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Alpine Strawberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Fulton County, NY (Zone 5a) Short season
143 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
143 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Fulton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Nov 11
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 4 🍅 Harvest: Sep 3 – Nov 19
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 21 🍅 Harvest: Sep 20 – Dec 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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Alpine Strawberries needs ~1,654 GDD — county provides 1,751 GDD Good fit

Alpine Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Fulton County, NY

Alpine Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Jun 18
Harvest September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Nov 19

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

143 days

Growing Tips for Fulton 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 Fulton County, NY?

Fulton County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Alpine Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, NY?

Fulton County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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