Blog

When to Plant Haskaps in Fairfax 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.

Fairfax County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 211 days.

At an elevation of 548 feet, Fairfax County receives approximately 53 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Haskaps during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Haskaps root diseases.

Fairfax County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
211 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
211 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Fairfax County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 16

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Haskaps needs ~18,022 GDD — county provides 4,167 GDD May not mature

Haskaps Planting Timeline โ€” Fairfax County, VA

Haskaps Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11

ยท 48" apart ยท Rows 72" 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

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

730โ€“1095 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

211 days

Growing Tips for Fairfax 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 Fairfax County, VA?

Fairfax County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Haskaps planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fairfax County, VA?

Fairfax County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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