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When to Plant Raspberries in Kossuth 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.

Kossuth County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 1,213 feet, Kossuth County receives approximately 36.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Raspberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Kossuth County, IA (Zone 4b) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Kossuth County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 8

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 77 gal / 100 sq ft
Raspberries needs ~5,475 GDD — county provides 1,620 GDD May not mature

Raspberries Planting Timeline โ€” Kossuth County, IA

Raspberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jun 8

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

162 days

Growing Tips for Kossuth 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 Kossuth County, IA?

Kossuth County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Raspberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kossuth County, IA?

Kossuth County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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