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When to Plant Alpine Strawberries in Beaver County, UT

Beaver County, Utah Zone 6a May

May in the garden — Beaver County, Utah

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Beaver County, Utah this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 21
Avg. first frost September 29
Soil temp (4") 36°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
June prep starts now
  • Transplants going out: alpine strawberries

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Alpine strawberries are small, intensely flavored wild-type strawberries that fruit continuously from spring to frost. They do not produce runners and make excellent edging plants.

Beaver County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 7,589 feet, Beaver County receives approximately 24.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Alpine Strawberries during the growing season.

Beaver County, UT (Zone 6a) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 21
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29
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Beaver County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Sep 2 – Dec 16
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 11 🍅 Harvest: Sep 10 – Dec 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (274 days to spare)
Transplant: Jul 1 🍅 Harvest: Sep 30 – Jan 13

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 Beaver County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.8) is more alkaline than Alpine Strawberries prefers (5.5–6.8). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Alpine Strawberries.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Alpine Strawberries.

How to Plant Alpine Strawberries

12"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 729 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Alpine Strawberries

Alpine 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 Alpine Strawberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Alpine 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.

Alpine Strawberries needs ~1,856 GDD — county provides 1,801 GDD Tight fit

Alpine Strawberries Planting Timeline — Beaver County, UT

Alpine Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 11 Jun 11 – Jun 25
Harvest September 10 Sep 10 – Dec 24

· 12" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

90–180 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.8 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

131 days in Beaver County

Growing Tips for Alpine Strawberries in Beaver County

Direct sow Alpine Strawberries outdoors after May 21 in Beaver County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 131.0-day growing season in Beaver County is tight for Alpine Strawberries (90.0-180.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

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

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before transplanting. Unlike regular strawberries, alpines do not spread by runners. Harvest tiny, intensely aromatic berries frequently. Grow well in partial shade.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Alpine Strawberries in Beaver County, UT?

Beaver County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 21. Plan your Alpine Strawberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Beaver County, UT?

Beaver County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 21 and first fall frost is September 29.

🌱

Your Beaver County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Beaver County (Zone 6a). 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 Beaver County, UT. 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.