Blog

When to Plant Lingonberries in Jones County, IA

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

Jones County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 169 days.

At an elevation of 837 feet, Jones County receives approximately 31.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lingonberries during the growing season.

Jones County, IA (Zone 5a) Moderate season
169 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
169 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Jones County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 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
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 938 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Lingonberries needs ~13,231 GDD — county provides 2,450 GDD May not mature

Lingonberries Planting Timeline โ€” Jones County, IA

Lingonberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 16 May 16 โ€“ May 30

ยท 48" apart ยท Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
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

4.5 โ€“ 5.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5a

Growing Season

169 days

Growing Tips for Jones 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 Jones County, IA?

Jones County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Lingonberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jones County, IA?

Jones County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jones County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Jones County, IA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.