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When to Plant Jostaberry in Kent County, DE

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.

Kent County, Delaware is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 216 days.

At an elevation of 128 feet, Kent County receives approximately 47.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Jostaberry during the growing season.

Kent County, DE (Zone 7a) Long season
216 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
216 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Kent County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 9

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 132 gal / 100 sq ft
Jostaberry needs ~14,600 GDD — county provides 3,456 GDD May not mature

Jostaberry Planting Timeline โ€” Kent County, DE

Jostaberry Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7

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

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

730โ€“1095 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 6.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

216 days

Growing Tips for Kent 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Jostaberry in Kent County, DE?

Kent County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Jostaberry planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kent County, DE?

Kent County, Delaware is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is November 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kent County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Kent County, DE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.