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When to Plant Strawberries in Franklin County, NE

Strawberries

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.

Franklin County, Nebraska 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 1,023 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 27.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season.

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

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

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

Strawberries Planting Timeline — Franklin County, NE

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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

90–365 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.8 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

164 days in Franklin County

Growing Tips for Franklin County

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 Franklin County, NE?

Franklin 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 Franklin County, NE?

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

🌱

Your Franklin County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Franklin 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Franklin County, NE. 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.