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When to Plant Jostaberry in McPherson County, NE

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.

McPherson County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 884 feet, McPherson County receives approximately 21.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Jostaberry to ensure they mature before fall.

McPherson County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

McPherson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Jostaberry Planting Timeline — McPherson County, NE

Jostaberry Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 24 May 24 – Jun 7

· 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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

159 days in McPherson County

Growing Tips for McPherson County

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 McPherson County, NE?

McPherson County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Jostaberry planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is McPherson County, NE?

McPherson County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 9.

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Your McPherson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for McPherson County (Zone 5b). 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 McPherson 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.