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When to Plant Lingonberries in Lewis County, ID

Lingonberries are low-growing evergreen shrubs producing small, tart red berries used in Scandinavian cuisine. They thrive in acidic soil and cold climates.

Lewis County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 126 days.

At an elevation of 4,861 feet, Lewis County receives approximately 13.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lingonberries during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Lingonberries successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Lewis County, ID (Zone 6a) Short season
126 days
Last Spring Frost May 20
126 growing days
First Fall Frost September 23

Lewis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 1

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 740 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Lingonberries needs ~15,969 GDD — county provides 2,205 GDD May not mature

Lingonberries Planting Timeline โ€” Lewis County, ID

Lingonberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Jun 24

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

4.5 โ€“ 5.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

126 days

Growing Tips for Lewis County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lingonberries in Lewis County, ID?

Lewis County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Lingonberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lewis County, ID?

Lewis County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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