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When to Plant Jostaberry in Morrill County, NE

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.

Morrill County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 1,112 feet, Morrill County receives approximately 34.5 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.

Morrill County, NE (Zone 4b) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
145 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Morrill County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 17

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 1 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Jostaberry needs ~11,178 GDD — county provides 1,776 GDD May not mature

Jostaberry Planting Timeline โ€” Morrill County, NE

Jostaberry Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Jun 22

ยท 48" apart ยท Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
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 4b

Growing Season

145 days

Growing Tips for Morrill 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 Morrill County, NE?

Morrill County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Jostaberry planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morrill County, NE?

Morrill County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 3.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Morrill County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Morrill County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.