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When to Plant Haskaps in Douglas County, CO

Haskaps (honeyberries) are extremely cold-hardy shrubs producing elongated blue berries with a complex blueberry-raspberry flavor. They fruit very early in the season.

Douglas County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 121 days.

At an elevation of 7,421 feet, Douglas County receives approximately 12.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Haskaps during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Haskaps successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Douglas County, CO (Zone 5b) Short season
121 days
Last Spring Frost May 22
121 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20

Douglas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 10

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 714 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Haskaps needs ~12,547 GDD — county provides 1,663 GDD May not mature

Haskaps Planting Timeline โ€” Douglas County, CO

Haskaps Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Jun 26

ยท 48" apart ยท Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

730โ€“1095 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

121 days

Growing Tips for Douglas County

Plant at least two different varieties for cross-pollination. Fruits ripen 2-3 weeks before strawberries. Protect from birds. Very low maintenance once established. Tolerates extreme cold.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Haskaps in Douglas County, CO?

Douglas County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 22. Plan your Haskaps planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Douglas County, CO?

Douglas County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 22 and first fall frost is September 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Douglas 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 Douglas County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.