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When to Plant Raspberries in Allamakee County, IA

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.

Allamakee County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 158 days.

At an elevation of 804 feet, Allamakee County receives approximately 39.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Raspberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Allamakee County, IA (Zone 4b) Moderate season
158 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
158 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Allamakee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 12

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
Drought risk

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

Raspberries needs ~6,296 GDD — county provides 1,817 GDD May not mature

Raspberries Planting Timeline โ€” Allamakee County, IA

Raspberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jun 13

ยท 24" 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

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 4b

Growing Season

158 days

Growing Tips for Allamakee 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 Allamakee County, IA?

Allamakee County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Raspberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Allamakee County, IA?

Allamakee County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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