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When to plant Haskaps in Ohio County, KY

Ohio County sits in cold Zone 7a. Plant Haskaps April 29–May 13 for the single annual harvest; the October 28 first frost closes the window.

When to Plant Haskaps in Ohio County, KY

Ohio County, Kentucky Zone 7a August

Your August game plan for Ohio County, Kentucky

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

Avg. last frost April 8
Avg. first frost October 28
Soil temp (4") 80°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs

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Haskaps (honeyberries) are extremely cold-hardy shrubs producing elongated blue berries with a complex blueberry-raspberry flavor. They fruit very early in the season.

Ohio County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 203 days.

At an elevation of 1,511 feet, Ohio County receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Haskaps during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Haskaps root diseases.

Ohio County, KY (Zone 7a) Long season
203 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
203 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Ohio County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Haskaps Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 13

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 Ohio County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.6) overlaps with Haskaps's range (5.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Ohio County is excellent for Haskaps — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Haskaps.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Haskaps.

How to Plant Haskaps

48"
Between Plants
72"
Between Rows

Haskaps 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 Haskaps

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

Month Haskaps Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Haskaps 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.

Haskaps needs ~16,653 GDD — county provides 3,704 GDD May not mature

Haskaps Planting Timeline — Ohio County, KY

Haskaps Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 – May 13

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

203 days in Ohio County

Growing Tips for Haskaps in Ohio County

Direct sow Haskaps outdoors after April 08 in Ohio County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 203.0-day growing season in Ohio County is tight for Haskaps (730.0-1095.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant at least two different varieties for cross-pollination. Fruits ripen 2-3 weeks before strawberries. Protect from birds. Very low maintenance once established. Tolerates extreme cold.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Haskaps in Ohio County, KY?

Ohio County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Haskaps planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ohio County, KY?

Ohio County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 28.

When should I plant Haskaps in Ohio County, KY?

In Ohio County, KY, plant Haskaps after the last frost (around April 8) and before the first frost (around October 28). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Ohio County, KY for Haskaps?

Ohio County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Haskaps grows reliably in zones 2a through 7b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Haskaps grow in Ohio County's climate?

Yes — Haskaps grows well in Ohio County's temperate climate. Ohio County averages a 203-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 8 and first frost around October 28.

🌱

Your Ohio County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Ohio County (Zone 7a). 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 Ohio County, KY. 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.