Blog

When to Plant Strawberries in Burlington County, NJ

Burlington County, New Jersey Zone 7a April

Top priorities for Burlington County, New Jersey gardeners in April

April is a pivotal month for Burlington County, New Jersey gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost November 2
Soil temp (4") 59°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.1 hrs
  1. Time to transplant strawberries

    Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Burlington County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 185 feet, Burlington County receives approximately 38.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season.

Burlington County, NJ (Zone 7a) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
207 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Burlington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Nov 30
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Dec 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (332 days to spare)
Transplant: May 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 23 – Jan 3

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 Burlington County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.0–6.6) overlaps with Strawberries's range (5.5–6.8), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Strawberries.

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 Burlington County's 207-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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Dec 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Burlington 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 ~4,664 GDD — county provides 4,243 GDD Tight fit

Strawberries Planting Timeline — Burlington County, NJ

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 – May 14
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 – Dec 10

· 12" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–365 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.8 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

207 days in Burlington County

Growing Tips for Strawberries in Burlington County

Direct sow Strawberries outdoors after April 09 in Burlington County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 207.0-day growing season in Burlington 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 Burlington County, NJ?

Burlington County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Burlington County, NJ?

Burlington County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is November 2.

🌱

Your Burlington County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Burlington 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.

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 Burlington County, NJ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

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