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When to Plant Raspberries in Woodward County, OK

Woodward County, Oklahoma Zone 7a May

What to do in May

May is a pivotal month for Woodward County, Oklahoma gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 15
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Set out raspberries seedlings

    Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.

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Raspberries are beloved bramble fruits producing sweet, delicate berries in red, golden, black, and purple varieties. They spread by underground runners and are very productive.

Woodward County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 624 feet, Woodward County receives approximately 24.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Raspberries during the growing season.

Woodward County, OK (Zone 7a) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22
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Woodward County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 21

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 Woodward County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.7) is more alkaline than Raspberries prefers (5.5–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Woodward County is excellent for Raspberries — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Raspberries will thrive.

How to Plant Raspberries

24"
Between Plants
72"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 935 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Raspberries

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

Month Raspberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Raspberries 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.

Raspberries needs ~7,528 GDD — county provides 2,612 GDD May not mature

Raspberries Planting Timeline — Woodward County, OK

Raspberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 – May 20

· 24" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

365–730 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

190 days in Woodward County

Growing Tips for Raspberries in Woodward County

Direct sow Raspberries outdoors after April 15 in Woodward County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 190.0-day growing season in Woodward County is tight for Raspberries (365.0-730.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Woodward County receives only 24" of rain annually. Raspberries needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Provide a trellis for support. Prune summer-bearing types by removing spent canes after harvest. For ever-bearing types, mow all canes in late winter for a single fall crop.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes
  • Tomatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Raspberries in Woodward County, OK?

Woodward County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Raspberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Woodward County, OK?

Woodward County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 22.

🌱

Your Woodward County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Woodward 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.

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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 Woodward County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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