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When to Plant Raspberries in Mathews 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.

Mathews County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 877 feet, Mathews County receives approximately 45.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Raspberries during the growing season.

Mathews County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
208 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Mathews County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 12

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 135 gal / 100 sq ft
Raspberries needs ~9,581 GDD — county provides 3,640 GDD May not mature

Raspberries Planting Timeline โ€” Mathews County, VA

Raspberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14

ยท 24" apart ยท Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
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 7b

Growing Season

208 days

Growing Tips for Mathews 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 Mathews County, VA?

Mathews County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Raspberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mathews County, VA?

Mathews County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mathews County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Mathews County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.