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When to Plant Alpine Strawberries in Jefferson County, OR

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.

Jefferson County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost is September 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 102 days.

At an elevation of 21 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 36.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 79ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Alpine Strawberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Jefferson County, OR (Zone 6a) Short season
102 days
Last Spring Frost June 9
102 growing days
First Fall Frost September 19

Jefferson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (251 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 20 🍅 Harvest: Sep 19 – Jan 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (250 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 30 🍅 Harvest: Sep 29 – Jan 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (254 days to spare)
Transplant: Jul 13 🍅 Harvest: Oct 12 – Jan 25

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
1.5″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Alpine Strawberries needs ~1,249 GDD — county provides 943 GDD May not mature

Alpine Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Jefferson County, OR

Alpine Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Jul 14
Harvest September 29 Sep 29 โ€“ Jan 12

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Harvest
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July Transplant Outdoors
August โ€”
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
December Harvest

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 6a

Growing Season

102 days

Growing Tips for Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, OR?

Jefferson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 9. Plan your Alpine Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jefferson County, OR?

Jefferson County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and first fall frost is September 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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