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When to plant Strawberries in Phillips County, KS

Phillips County's 164-day season only supports one Strawberries planting per year. Sow between May 20 and June 3 for the best chance at full maturity before October 10.

When to Plant Strawberries in Phillips County, KS

Strawberries
Phillips County, Kansas Zone 6a August

This month in Phillips County, Kansas

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this August, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 29
Avg. first frost October 10
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Basket week: strawberries

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

September prep starts now
  • First harvests: strawberries

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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.

Phillips County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 164 days.

At an elevation of 929 feet, Phillips County receives approximately 32.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Strawberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Phillips County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
164 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
164 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Phillips County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Strawberries Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Nov 25
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Dec 2
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Sep 2 – Dec 16

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 Phillips County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.5) is more alkaline than Strawberries prefers (5.5–6.8). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Strawberries will thrive.

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 Phillips County's 164-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Strawberries Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 312 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 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Phillips 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 ~2,958 GDD — county provides 2,132 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline — Phillips County, KS

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 20 May 20 – Jun 3
Harvest August 19 Aug 19 – Dec 2

· 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 · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

90–365 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.8 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

164 days in Phillips County

Growing Tips for Strawberries in Phillips County

Direct sow Strawberries outdoors after April 29 in Phillips County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 164.0-day growing season in Phillips 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 Phillips County, KS?

Phillips County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Phillips County, KS?

Phillips County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 10.

When should I plant Strawberries in Phillips County, KS?

In Phillips County, KS, plant Strawberries after the last frost (around April 29) and before the first frost (around October 10). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Phillips County, KS for Strawberries?

Phillips County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Strawberries grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Strawberries grow in Phillips County's climate?

Yes — Strawberries grows well in Phillips County's temperate climate. Phillips County averages a 164-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 29 and first frost around October 10.

🌱

Your Phillips County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Phillips County (Zone 6a). 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 Phillips County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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