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When to plant Haskaps in Dutton, MT

Plant Haskaps in Dutton during the brief June 22–July 6 window. With 114 frost-free days, fall plantings can't mature before September 16.

When to Plant Haskaps in Dutton, MT

Teton County, Montana Zone 4b June

June to-do list for Teton County, Montana

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

Avg. last frost May 25
Avg. first frost September 16
Soil temp (4") 40°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.8 hrs
  1. Time to transplant haskaps

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

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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.

Dutton, Montana is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 25 and the first fall frost is September 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 114 days.

At an elevation of 8,276 feet, Teton County receives approximately 15.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Haskaps to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Haskaps successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Dutton, MT (Zone 4b) Short season
114 days
Last Spring Frost May 25
114 growing days
First Fall Frost September 16

Dutton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Haskaps Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 9

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 Dutton

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–7.6) overlaps with Haskaps's range (5.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Teton 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 (2.2%). 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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 905 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

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 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Teton 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 ~11,862 GDD — county provides 1,482 GDD May not mature

Haskaps Planting Timeline — Dutton, MT

Haskaps Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 22 Jun 22 – Jul 6

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

114 days in Teton County

Growing Tips for Haskaps in Dutton

Direct sow Haskaps outdoors after May 25 in Teton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 114.0-day growing season in Teton County is tight for Haskaps (730.0-1095.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Teton County receives only 15" of rain annually. Haskaps needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 →

When should I plant Haskaps in Dutton, MT?

In Dutton, MT, plant Haskaps after the last frost (around May 25) and before the first frost (around September 16). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Dutton, MT for Haskaps?

Dutton sits in USDA Zone 4b. Haskaps grows reliably in zones 2a through 7b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Haskaps grow in Dutton's climate?

Yes — Haskaps grows well in Dutton's temperate climate. Dutton averages a 114-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 25 and first frost around September 16.

🌱

Your Teton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Teton County (Zone 4b). 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 Teton County, MT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.