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When to Plant Lingonberries in Carbon County, UT

Carbon County, Utah Zone 6a May

May to-do list for Carbon County, Utah

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Carbon County, Utah.

Avg. last frost May 17
Avg. first frost September 27
Soil temp (4") 43°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
Before June arrives, get these ready
  • Transplants going out: lingonberries

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Lingonberries are low-growing evergreen shrubs producing small, tart red berries used in Scandinavian cuisine. They thrive in acidic soil and cold climates.

Carbon County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 133 days.

At an elevation of 5,755 feet, Carbon County receives approximately 14.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Lingonberries to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Lingonberries successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Carbon County, UT (Zone 6a) Short season
133 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
133 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27
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Carbon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 29

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 Carbon County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–8.3) is more alkaline than Lingonberries prefers (4.5–5.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Lingonberries

48"
Between Plants
72"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 783 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Lingonberries

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

Month Lingonberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.1" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Lingonberries 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.

Lingonberries needs ~11,862 GDD — county provides 1,729 GDD May not mature

Lingonberries Planting Timeline — Carbon County, UT

Lingonberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 7 Jun 7 – Jun 21

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 4.5–5.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

133 days in Carbon County

Growing Tips for Lingonberries in Carbon County

Direct sow Lingonberries outdoors after May 17 in Carbon County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 133.0-day growing season in Carbon County is tight for Lingonberries (730.0-1095.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Carbon County receives only 14" of rain annually. Lingonberries needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Amend soil with peat and pine needle mulch for acidity. Plant 12 inches apart as a ground cover. Berries ripen in late summer. Requires minimal pruning.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lingonberries in Carbon County, UT?

Carbon County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Lingonberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carbon County, UT?

Carbon County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is September 27.

🌱

Your Carbon County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Carbon 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 Carbon County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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