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When to Plant Raspberries in Madison County, VA

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.

Madison County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 865 feet, Madison County receives approximately 41.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Raspberries during the growing season.

Madison County, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Madison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 1

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 174 gal / 100 sq ft
Raspberries needs ~9,171 GDD — county provides 3,232 GDD May not mature

Raspberries Planting Timeline โ€” Madison County, VA

Raspberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 21

ยท 24" apart ยท Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Madison 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 Madison County, VA?

Madison County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Raspberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Madison County, VA?

Madison County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Madison County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Madison County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.