When to Plant Lingonberries in Haines Borough, AK
Your May game plan for Haines Borough, Alaska
Each item below is timed to Haines Borough, Alaska's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
-
Move lingonberries from tray to bed
Frost risk is low now in Haines Borough, Alaska. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
Lingonberries are low-growing evergreen shrubs producing small, tart red berries used in Scandinavian cuisine. They thrive in acidic soil and cold climates.
Haines Borough, Alaska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.
At an elevation of 1,921 feet, Haines Borough receives approximately 57.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 68°F, so choose short-season varieties of Lingonberries to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lingonberries root diseases.
Haines Borough Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
4.9-6.4
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Haines Borough
How your county's soil matches Lingonberries's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (4.9–6.4) is more alkaline than Lingonberries prefers (4.5–5.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Haines Borough is excellent for Lingonberries — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Lingonberries.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (6.6%) — Lingonberries will thrive.
How to Plant Lingonberries
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Lingonberries
Lingonberries needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Lingonberries Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 2.7" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 8.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 8.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 10.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | — | 6.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Haines Borough). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Lingonberries 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" — every day above 50°F 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.
Lingonberries Planting Timeline — Haines Borough, AK
Lingonberries Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | May 28 | May 28 – Jun 11 |
· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | Transplant Outdoors |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
730–1095 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 4.5–5.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5b
📆 Growing Season
145 days in Haines Borough
Growing Tips for Lingonberries in Haines Borough
Direct sow Lingonberries outdoors after May 07 in Haines Borough when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 145.0-day growing season in Haines Borough is tight for Lingonberries (730.0-1095.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.
General growing tips
Amend soil with peat and pine needle mulch for acidity. Plant 12 inches apart as a ground cover. Berries ripen in late summer. Requires minimal pruning.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Lingonberries in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lingonberries in Haines Borough, AK?
Haines Borough is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 7. Plan your Lingonberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Haines Borough, AK?
Haines Borough, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 7 and first fall frost is September 29.
Your Haines Borough Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Haines Borough (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.