Lingonberries Planting Guide
Planting lingonberries in May
Everything below applies to lingonberries broadly. For a plan that's dialled into your county's frost dates and soil, tap your location.
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How to water lingonberries
About an inch of water a week keeps lingonberries happy. Check your weather forecast before watering — skip if rain is coming.
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Where to put lingonberries
South-facing beds are ideal for lingonberries. Shade from nearby trees or fences costs real production.
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Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant lingonberries. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.
Lingonberries are low-growing evergreen shrubs producing small, tart red berries used in Scandinavian cuisine. They thrive in acidic soil and cold climates.
Vaccinium vitis-idaea · Fruit · Ericaceae family · 730–1095 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Lingonberries Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Lingonberries?
Lingonberries Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Lingonberries planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2a | — | — | Jun 27 | — |
| Zone 2b | — | — | Jun 19 | — |
| Zone 3a | — | — | Jun 12 | — |
| Zone 3b | — | — | Jun 7 | — |
| Zone 4a | — | — | Jun 3 | — |
| Zone 4b | — | — | May 29 | — |
| Zone 5a | — | — | May 16 | — |
| Zone 5b | — | — | May 9 | — |
| Zone 6a | — | — | May 1 | — |
| Zone 6b | — | — | Apr 24 | — |
| Zone 7a | — | — | Apr 15 | — |
| Zone 7b | — | — | Apr 8 | — |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Lingonberries is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Direct Sow shows "—" because Lingonberries benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.
How to Plant Lingonberries
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
4.5 – 5.5
Prefers slightly acidic soil. Most garden soils work well.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 2a – 7b
📅 Days to Maturity
730–1095 days
Long-season crop. Start indoors in cold climates to get a head start.
👪 Plant Family
Ericaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Ericaceae family crops grew last year.
How Much Lingonberries to Grow
Lingonberries takes 730–1095 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.
Companion Planting for Lingonberries
✅ Good Companions
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Lingonberries
Amend soil with peat and pine needle mulch for acidity. Plant 12 inches apart as a ground cover. Berries ripen in late summer. Requires minimal pruning.
Saving Lingonberries Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Sharp bypass pruners for clean cuts on fruit trees, berry bushes, and woody herbs.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Seed Saving & Storage Guide
Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.
- 200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
- Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
- Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant
Lingonberries by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Lingonberries?
Lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) takes 730 to 1095 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Lingonberries grow in?
Lingonberries can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 7b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Lingonberries need?
Growing Lingonberries requires Partial Shade (3-6 hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 4.5 to 5.5.