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When to Plant Raspberries in Cache County, UT

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.

Cache County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 11 and the first fall frost is September 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 83 days.

At an elevation of 6,265 feet, Cache County receives approximately 15.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Raspberries to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Raspberries successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Cache County, UT (Zone 5b) Very short season
83 days
Last Spring Frost June 11
83 growing days
First Fall Frost September 2

Cache County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 15

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.

Soil Compatibility in Cache County

How your county's soil matches Raspberries's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6โ€“8.4) is more alkaline than Raspberries prefers (5.5โ€“6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Cache County is excellent for Raspberries โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Raspberries.

How to Plant Raspberries

24"
Between Plants
72"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 191 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Raspberries

Raspberries needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Raspberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May โ€” 2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.3" 3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.3" 3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Junโ€“Sep in Cache County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Raspberries Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Raspberries needs ~7,118 GDD — county provides 1,079 GDD May not mature

Raspberries Planting Timeline โ€” Cache County, UT

Raspberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Jul 16

ยท 24" apart ยท Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Transplant Outdoors
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

365โ€“730 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“6.5 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

83 days in Cache County

Growing Tips for Raspberries in Cache County

Direct sow Raspberries outdoors after June 11 in Cache County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 83.0-day growing season in Cache County is tight for Raspberries (365.0-730.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Cache County receives only 16" of rain annually. Raspberries needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Raspberries in Cache County, UT?

Cache County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 11. Plan your Raspberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cache County, UT?

Cache County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 11 and first fall frost is September 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cache County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Cache County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.