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When to Plant Gooseberries in Davis County, UT

Davis County, Utah Zone 7a July

July to-do list for Davis County, Utah

Here's what deserves your attention in Davis County, Utah this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost May 6
Avg. first frost October 10
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs

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

Davis County, Utah is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 4,567 feet, Davis County receives approximately 16.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°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.

Davis County, UT (Zone 7a) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 6
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Davis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Gooseberries Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 1

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 Davis County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.6) is more alkaline than Gooseberries prefers (6.0–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Gooseberries.

How to Plant Gooseberries

48"
Between Plants
72"
Between Rows

Gooseberries Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 597 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Gooseberries

Gooseberries needs approximately 0.8 inches of water per week (3.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Gooseberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.5" 1.7" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 3.5" 1" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.5" 1.7" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3.5" 2" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.5" 1.5" 2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 3.5" 1.4" 2.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Gooseberries 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.

Gooseberries needs ~16,653 GDD — county provides 2,865 GDD May not mature

Gooseberries Planting Timeline — Davis County, UT

Gooseberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 27 May 27 – Jun 10

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

0.8"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Davis County

Growing Tips for Gooseberries in Davis County

Direct sow Gooseberries outdoors after May 06 in Davis County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 157.0-day growing season in Davis County is tight for Gooseberries (730.0-1095.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

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 Davis County, UT?

Davis County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Gooseberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Davis County, UT?

Davis County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 10.

🌱

Your Davis County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Davis 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Davis County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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