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When to Plant Raspberries in Randolph 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.

Randolph County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 501 feet, Randolph County receives approximately 32.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Raspberries during the growing season.

Randolph County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Randolph 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: Apr 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 14

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
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 579 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Raspberries needs ~7,939 GDD — county provides 2,784 GDD May not mature

Raspberries Planting Timeline โ€” Randolph County, IL

Raspberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16

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

192 days

Growing Tips for Randolph 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 Randolph County, IL?

Randolph County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Raspberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Randolph County, IL?

Randolph County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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