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When to Plant Jostaberry in Skagit County, WA

Jostaberry is a thornless hybrid of black currant and gooseberry, producing medium-sized, dark berries with a complex, tart-sweet flavor. It is vigorous and disease-resistant.

Skagit County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 232 feet, Skagit County receives approximately 42.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Jostaberry during the growing season.

Skagit County, WA (Zone 8b) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
208 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Skagit County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Jostaberry

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

Month Jostaberry Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 6.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.7" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.7" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 6.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Jostaberry Planting Timeline — Skagit County, WA

Jostaberry Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 – May 8

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June
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 8b

📆 Growing Season

208 days in Skagit County

Growing Tips for Skagit County

Plant in rich, well-drained soil. No special pruning required beyond removing old wood. Self-fertile but yields improve with a second bush. Berries ripen midsummer.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Jostaberry in Skagit County, WA?

Skagit County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Jostaberry planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Skagit County, WA?

Skagit County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is October 28.

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Your Skagit County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Skagit County (Zone 8b). 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 Skagit County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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