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When to Plant Strawberries in Paulding County, GA

Strawberries are a beloved perennial fruit available as June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral types. They are one of the easiest fruits to grow in containers or garden beds.

Paulding County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 299 feet, Paulding County receives approximately 56.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Strawberries, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Strawberries root diseases.

Paulding County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
215 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Paulding County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Nov 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Dec 1
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Dec 18

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 Paulding County

How your county's soil matches Strawberries's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5โ€“6.4) is within Strawberries's preferred range (5.5โ€“6.8).

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Paulding County is excellent for Strawberries โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Strawberries.

How to Plant Strawberries

12"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

How Much Strawberries to Grow

1 lb
Average yield per plant
10
Plants per person
20 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 40 strawberries plants in about 80 sq ft. In Paulding County's 215-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Strawberries

Strawberries needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Strawberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 5.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 5.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Paulding County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Strawberries 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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.

Strawberries needs ~4,664 GDD — county provides 4,407 GDD Tight fit

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Paulding County, GA

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Dec 1

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
December Harvest

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“365 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“6.8 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

215 days in Paulding County

Growing Tips for Strawberries in Paulding County

Direct sow Strawberries outdoors after March 31 in Paulding County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Paulding County's clay soil (26% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Strawberries. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Your 215.0-day growing season in Paulding County is tight for Strawberries (90.0-365.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant with crowns at soil level. Remove runners the first year to strengthen plants. Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean and suppress weeds. Renovate June-bearing beds after harvest.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Strawberries in Paulding County, GA?

Paulding County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Paulding County, GA?

Paulding County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Paulding County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.