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When to Plant Jostaberry in El Dorado County, CA

Jostaberry is a thornless hybrid of black currant and gooseberry, producing medium-sized, dark berries with a complex, tart-sweet flavor. It is vigorous and disease-resistant.

El Dorado County, California is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 225 days.

At an elevation of 2,714 feet, El Dorado County receives approximately 41 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Jostaberry to ensure they mature before fall.

El Dorado County, CA (Zone 7a) Long season
225 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
225 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

El Dorado County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Jostaberry

Jostaberry needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Jostaberry Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 7.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 9.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0" 4.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0" 4.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.5" 3.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 6.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Nov in El Dorado County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Jostaberry Planting Timeline โ€” El Dorado County, CA

Jostaberry Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

730โ€“1095 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“6.5 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

225 days in El Dorado County

Growing Tips for El Dorado County

Plant in rich, well-drained soil. No special pruning required beyond removing old wood. Self-fertile but yields improve with a second bush. Berries ripen midsummer.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Jostaberry in El Dorado County, CA?

El Dorado County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Jostaberry planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is El Dorado County, CA?

El Dorado County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is November 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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