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When to Plant Jostaberry in Scotland County, NC

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.

Scotland County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 185 feet, Scotland County receives approximately 42.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Jostaberry during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Jostaberry, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Scotland County, NC (Zone 7b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Scotland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 2

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 426 gal / 100 sq ft
Jostaberry needs ~17,338 GDD — county provides 4,332 GDD May not mature

Jostaberry Planting Timeline โ€” Scotland County, NC

Jostaberry Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Apr 27

ยท 48" apart ยท Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Scotland 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 Scotland County, NC?

Scotland County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Jostaberry planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Scotland County, NC?

Scotland County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Scotland County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Scotland County, NC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.