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When to Plant Raspberries in Grant County, OR

Grant County, Oregon Zone 6b May

Your May planting checklist for Grant County, Oregon

Your garden in Grant County, Oregon is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost June 6
Avg. first frost September 10
Soil temp (4") 51°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.6 hrs
June will be here before you know it — start on
  • Transplants going out: raspberries

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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.

Grant County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is June 6 and the first fall frost is September 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 96 days.

At an elevation of 2,838 feet, Grant County receives approximately 22.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Raspberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Grant County, OR (Zone 6b) Very short season
96 days
Last Spring Frost June 6
96 growing days
First Fall Frost September 10
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Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 17

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 Grant County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.4) overlaps with Raspberries's range (5.5–6.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Raspberries.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Raspberries will thrive.

How to Plant Raspberries

24"
Between Plants
72"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 266 gal / 100 sq ft

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 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Grant 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 ~6,707 GDD — county provides 1,176 GDD May not mature

Raspberries Planting Timeline — Grant County, OR

Raspberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 27 Jun 27 – Jul 11

· 24" 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
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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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

96 days in Grant County

Growing Tips for Raspberries in Grant County

Direct sow Raspberries outdoors after June 06 in Grant County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 96.0-day growing season in Grant County is tight for Raspberries (365.0-730.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Grant County receives only 23" 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 Grant County, OR?

Grant County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of June 6. Plan your Raspberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, OR?

Grant County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is June 6 and first fall frost is September 10.

🌱

Your Grant County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Grant County (Zone 6b). 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 Grant County, OR. 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.