Blog

When to Plant Raspberries in Kittson County, MN

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.

Kittson County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 139 days.

At an elevation of 778 feet, Kittson County receives approximately 40.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Raspberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Kittson County, MN (Zone 3a) Short season
139 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
139 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Kittson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 27

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Raspberries needs ~4,654 GDD — county provides 1,181 GDD May not mature

Raspberries Planting Timeline โ€” Kittson County, MN

Raspberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 11 Jun 11 โ€“ Jun 25

ยท 24" 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

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 3a

Growing Season

139 days

Growing Tips for Kittson 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 Kittson County, MN?

Kittson County is in Zone 3a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Raspberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kittson County, MN?

Kittson County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kittson County gardeners in Zone 3a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Kittson County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.