Blog

When to Plant Raspberries in McKenzie County, ND

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.

McKenzie County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 129 days.

At an elevation of 1,124 feet, McKenzie County receives approximately 27.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Raspberries to ensure they mature before fall.

McKenzie County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
129 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
129 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

McKenzie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 12
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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 162 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Raspberries needs ~5,886 GDD — county provides 1,386 GDD May not mature

Raspberries Planting Timeline โ€” McKenzie County, ND

Raspberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Jun 26

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 4a

Growing Season

129 days

Growing Tips for McKenzie 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 McKenzie County, ND?

McKenzie County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Raspberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is McKenzie County, ND?

McKenzie County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help McKenzie County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 McKenzie County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.