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When to Plant Gooseberries in Malheur County, OR

Gooseberries are thorny shrubs producing tart, grape-sized berries excellent for pies, jams, and preserves. They thrive in cooler climates and tolerate partial shade.

Malheur County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 2,676 feet, Malheur County receives approximately 17.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Gooseberries during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Gooseberries successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Malheur County, OR (Zone 6b) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Malheur County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Gooseberries Planting Timeline — Malheur County, OR

Gooseberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 8 Jun 8 – Jun 22

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
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 6b

📆 Growing Season

134 days in Malheur County

Growing Tips for Malheur County

Plant in a location with afternoon shade in hot climates. Prune to an open goblet shape for air circulation. Mulch heavily and avoid cultivation near shallow roots.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Gooseberries in Malheur County, OR?

Malheur County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 18. Plan your Gooseberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Malheur County, OR?

Malheur County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is September 29.

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Your Malheur County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Malheur 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 Malheur County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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