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When to Plant Raspberries in Montgomery County, IL

Raspberries are beloved bramble fruits producing sweet, delicate berries in red, golden, black, and purple varieties. They spread by underground runners and are very productive.

Montgomery County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 1,331 feet, Montgomery County receives approximately 30.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Raspberries during the growing season.

Montgomery County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Montgomery County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,085 gal / 100 sq ft
Raspberries needs ~8,760 GDD — county provides 3,056 GDD May not mature

Raspberries Planting Timeline โ€” Montgomery County, IL

Raspberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 18

ยท 24" 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

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

365โ€“730 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 6.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Montgomery County

Provide a trellis for support. Prune summer-bearing types by removing spent canes after harvest. For ever-bearing types, mow all canes in late winter for a single fall crop.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes
  • Tomatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Raspberries in Montgomery County, IL?

Montgomery County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Raspberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montgomery County, IL?

Montgomery County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Montgomery County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Montgomery County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.