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When to Plant Cranberries in Warren County, VA

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.

Warren County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 665 feet, Warren County receives approximately 40 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cranberries during the growing season.

Warren County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Warren County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 5

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 894 gal / 100 sq ft
Cranberries needs ~15,284 GDD — county provides 2,998 GDD May not mature

Cranberries Planting Timeline โ€” Warren County, VA

Cranberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28

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 6b

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Warren 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 Warren County, VA?

Warren County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Cranberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Warren County, VA?

Warren County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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