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When to Plant Strawberries in Twin Falls County, ID

Twin Falls County, Idaho Zone 6b May

Your May game plan for Twin Falls County, Idaho

Your garden in Twin Falls County, Idaho is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost May 10
Avg. first frost October 4
Soil temp (4") 49°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Plant out strawberries

    Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.

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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.

Twin Falls County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 147 days.

At an elevation of 4,584 feet, Twin Falls County receives approximately 21.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season.

Twin Falls County, ID (Zone 6b) Short season
147 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
147 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Twin Falls County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 21 – Dec 4
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Aug 30 – Dec 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (288 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 25 🍅 Harvest: Sep 24 – Jan 7

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 Twin Falls County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–8.0) is more alkaline than Strawberries prefers (5.5–6.8). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Twin Falls County is excellent for Strawberries — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). 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 Twin Falls County's 147-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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 592 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Twin Falls County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — 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.

Strawberries needs ~3,299 GDD — county provides 2,131 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline — Twin Falls County, ID

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 31 May 31 – Jun 14
Harvest August 30 Aug 30 – Dec 13

· 12" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

90–365 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.8 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

147 days in Twin Falls County

Growing Tips for Strawberries in Twin Falls County

Direct sow Strawberries outdoors after May 10 in Twin Falls County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 147.0-day growing season in Twin Falls County is tight for Strawberries (90.0-365.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Twin Falls County receives only 22" of rain annually. Strawberries needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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.

Recommended Strawberries Varieties for Twin Falls County

June-bearing varieties suited for northern climates

Sparkle Jewel Earliglow

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 Twin Falls County, ID?

Twin Falls County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Twin Falls County, ID?

Twin Falls County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 4.

🌱

Your Twin Falls County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Twin Falls County (Zone 6b). 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 Twin Falls County, ID. 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.