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When to Plant Lingonberries in Sac 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.

Sac County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 1,221 feet, Sac County receives approximately 31.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Lingonberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Sac County, IA (Zone 4b) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Sac County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 7

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
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 364 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Lingonberries needs ~9,125 GDD — county provides 1,660 GDD May not mature

Lingonberries Planting Timeline โ€” Sac County, IA

Lingonberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 6

ยท 48" apart ยท Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

166 days

Growing Tips for Sac 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 Sac County, IA?

Sac County is in Zone 4b 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 Sac County, IA?

Sac County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sac 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 Sac County, IA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.