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When to Plant Alpine Strawberries in Sullivan 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.

Sullivan County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 325 feet, Sullivan County receives approximately 42.2 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.

Sullivan County, NY (Zone 5b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Sullivan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Oct 29
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Nov 4
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 7 🍅 Harvest: Sep 6 – Nov 22

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 ~1,654 GDD — county provides 2,094 GDD Good fit

Alpine Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Sullivan County, NY

Alpine Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jun 3
Harvest August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Nov 4

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 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 5b

Growing Season

171 days

Growing Tips for Sullivan 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 Sullivan County, NY?

Sullivan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Alpine Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sullivan County, NY?

Sullivan County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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