Blog

When to Plant Cranberries in Limestone County, AL

Cranberries are low-growing, vine-like shrubs that produce tart red berries in fall. They grow in acidic, boggy conditions and are surprisingly easy to cultivate.

Limestone County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 200 feet, Limestone County receives approximately 54.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cranberries during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cranberries, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cranberries root diseases.

Limestone County, AL (Zone 7a) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Limestone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 14

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
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 719 gal / 100 sq ft
Cranberries needs ~18,022 GDD — county provides 4,088 GDD May not mature

Cranberries Planting Timeline โ€” Limestone County, AL

Cranberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 10

ยท 36" apart ยท Rows 48" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

Days to Maturity

730โ€“1095 days

Soil pH

4 โ€“ 5.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

207 days

Growing Tips for Limestone County

Create an acidic, consistently moist bed with peat moss. Cranberries do not need to be flooded to grow; flooding is only used for commercial harvesting. Mulch with sand in early spring.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cranberries in Limestone County, AL?

Limestone County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Cranberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Limestone County, AL?

Limestone County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Limestone County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Limestone County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.