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When to Plant Jostaberry in Lethbridge, AB

Jostaberry is a thornless hybrid of black currant and gooseberry, producing medium-sized, dark berries with a complex, tart-sweet flavor. It is vigorous and disease-resistant.

Lethbridge, Alberta is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 160 days.

At an elevation of 2,985 feet, Lethbridge receives approximately 23.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly dark brown chernozem soil. Summer highs average 74°F, so choose short-season varieties of Jostaberry to ensure they mature before fall.

Lethbridge, AB (Zone 5a) Moderate season
160 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
160 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Lethbridge Soil Profile

Soil Type

Dark Brown Chernozem

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Jostaberry Planting Timeline — Lethbridge, AB

Jostaberry Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 26 May 26 – Jun 9

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

160 days in Lethbridge

Growing Tips for Lethbridge

Plant in rich, well-drained soil. No special pruning required beyond removing old wood. Self-fertile but yields improve with a second bush. Berries ripen midsummer.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Jostaberry in Lethbridge, AB?

Lethbridge is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Jostaberry planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lethbridge, AB?

Lethbridge, Alberta is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 12.

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Your Lethbridge Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lethbridge (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Lethbridge, AB. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.