Blog

When to Plant Haskaps in Botetourt County, VA

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

Botetourt County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 897 feet, Botetourt County receives approximately 40.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Haskaps during the growing season.

Botetourt County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Botetourt County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

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 3

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Haskaps needs ~14,600 GDD — county provides 2,912 GDD May not mature

Haskaps Planting Timeline โ€” Botetourt County, VA

Haskaps Planting Calendar

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

ยท 48" apart ยท Rows 72" 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

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

730โ€“1095 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

182 days

Growing Tips for Botetourt 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 Botetourt County, VA?

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

What planting zone is Botetourt County, VA?

Botetourt County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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