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When to Plant Raspberries in Ben Hill County, GA

Ben Hill County, Georgia Zone 9a May

This month in Ben Hill County, Georgia

Each item below is timed to Ben Hill County, Georgia's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 9
Avg. first frost November 15
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs

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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.

Ben Hill County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 251 days.

At an elevation of 261 feet, Ben Hill County receives approximately 56.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Raspberries may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Raspberries, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Raspberries root diseases.

Ben Hill County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
251 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
251 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Ben Hill County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

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 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Ben Hill County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Raspberries Planting Timeline — Ben Hill County, GA

Raspberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 6

· 24" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

365–730 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

251 days in Ben Hill County

Growing Tips for Ben Hill 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Raspberries in Ben Hill County, GA?

Ben Hill County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Raspberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ben Hill County, GA?

Ben Hill County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 15.

🌱

Your Ben Hill County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Ben Hill County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Ben Hill County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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