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When to plant Jostaberry in Clinton County County,

In Clinton County County, Jostaberry is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant May 21–June 4 for an 1095-day harvest, finishing well before the October 13 first frost.

When to Plant Jostaberry in Clinton County, MI

Clinton County, Michigan Zone 6a June

June in Clinton County, Michigan — your action list

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

Avg. last frost April 30
Avg. first frost October 13
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.2 hrs

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Jostaberry is a thornless hybrid of black currant and gooseberry, producing medium-sized, dark berries with a complex, tart-sweet flavor. It is vigorous and disease-resistant.

Clinton County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 519 feet, Clinton County receives approximately 34.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Jostaberry to ensure they mature before fall.

Clinton County, MI (Zone 6a) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13
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Clinton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Jostaberry Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 10

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 Clinton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–6.7) overlaps with Jostaberry's range (6.0–6.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Jostaberry.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Jostaberry will thrive.

How to Plant Jostaberry

48"
Between Plants
72"
Between Rows

Jostaberry Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 775 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Jostaberry

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

Month Jostaberry Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Jostaberry 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.

Jostaberry needs ~11,862 GDD — county provides 2,158 GDD May not mature

Jostaberry Planting Timeline — Clinton County, MI

Jostaberry Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 – Jun 4

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

166 days in Clinton County

Growing Tips for Jostaberry in Clinton County

Direct sow Jostaberry outdoors after April 30 in Clinton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 166.0-day growing season in Clinton County is tight for Jostaberry (730.0-1095.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant in rich, well-drained soil. No special pruning required beyond removing old wood. Self-fertile but yields improve with a second bush. Berries ripen midsummer.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Jostaberry in Clinton County, MI?

Clinton County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Jostaberry planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clinton County, MI?

Clinton County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 13.

When should I plant Jostaberry in Clinton County County, ?

In Clinton County County, , plant Jostaberry after the last frost (around April 30) and before the first frost (around October 13). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Clinton County County, for Jostaberry?

Clinton County County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Jostaberry grows reliably in zones 3a through 8b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Jostaberry grow in Clinton County County's climate?

Yes — Jostaberry grows well in Clinton County County's temperate climate. Clinton County County averages a 166-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 30 and first frost around October 13.

🌱

Your Clinton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Clinton 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 Clinton County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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