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When to Plant Lingonberries in Polk County, MN

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

Polk County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 143 days.

At an elevation of 1,053 feet, Polk County receives approximately 35.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Lingonberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Polk County, MN (Zone 3b) Short season
143 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
143 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Polk County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 19

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lingonberries needs ~7,756 GDD — county provides 1,215 GDD May not mature

Lingonberries Planting Timeline โ€” Polk County, MN

Lingonberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Jun 22

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 3b

Growing Season

143 days

Growing Tips for Polk 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 Polk County, MN?

Polk County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Lingonberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Polk County, MN?

Polk County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 1.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Polk County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Polk County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.