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When to Plant Strawberries in Woodford County, KY

Woodford County, Kentucky Zone 7a May

May in the garden — Woodford County, Kentucky

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Woodford County, Kentucky this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 15
Avg. first frost October 24
Soil temp (4") 60°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Transplant strawberries outside

    Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.

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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.

Woodford County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 1,815 feet, Woodford County receives approximately 42.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season.

Woodford County, KY (Zone 7a) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Woodford County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Dec 9
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Dec 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (304 days to spare)
Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Jan 2

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 Woodford County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.6) is within Strawberries's preferred range (5.5–6.8).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). 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 Woodford County's 192-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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 131 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Woodford 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 ~3,469 GDD — county provides 2,928 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline — Woodford County, KY

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 – May 20
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 – Dec 16

· 12" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
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: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

192 days in Woodford County

Growing Tips for Strawberries in Woodford County

Direct sow Strawberries outdoors after April 15 in Woodford County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 192.0-day growing season in Woodford 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 Woodford County, KY?

Woodford County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Woodford County, KY?

Woodford County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 24.

🌱

Your Woodford County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Woodford 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 Woodford County, KY. 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.