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When to Plant Jostaberry in Spencer County, IN

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.

Spencer County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 1,204 feet, Spencer County receives approximately 33.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Jostaberry during the growing season.

Spencer County, IN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Spencer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 14

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 508 gal / 100 sq ft
Jostaberry needs ~13,231 GDD — county provides 2,885 GDD May not mature

Jostaberry Planting Timeline โ€” Spencer County, IN

Jostaberry Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14

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 6b

Growing Season

199 days

Growing Tips for Spencer 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 Spencer County, IN?

Spencer County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Jostaberry planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Spencer County, IN?

Spencer County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 25.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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