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When to Plant Cranberries in Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK

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.

Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 257 feet, Prince of Wales-Hyder receives approximately 14.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 70ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cranberries to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Cranberries successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK (Zone 7b) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
202 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Prince of Wales-Hyder Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 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
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,349 gal / 100 sq ft
Cranberries needs ~2,281 GDD — county provides 505 GDD May not mature

Cranberries Planting Timeline โ€” Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK

Cranberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 18

ยท 36" apart ยท Rows 48" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

202 days

Growing Tips for Prince of Wales-Hyder

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 Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK?

Prince of Wales-Hyder is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Cranberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK?

Prince of Wales-Hyder, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Prince of Wales-Hyder gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Prince of Wales-Hyder, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.