When to Plant Jostaberry in Raleigh County, WV
Your May gardening checklist
Welcome to May in Zone 6b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Plant out jostaberry
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
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.
Raleigh County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.
At an elevation of 3,257 feet, Raleigh County receives approximately 49.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Jostaberry during the growing season.
Raleigh County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.3-6.5
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Raleigh County
How your county's soil matches Jostaberry's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.3–6.5) is more acidic than Jostaberry prefers (6.0–6.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Raleigh County is excellent for Jostaberry — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Jostaberry.
How to Plant Jostaberry
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 5.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 5.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Raleigh County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Jostaberry 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.
Jostaberry Planting Timeline — Raleigh County, WV
Jostaberry Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | May 22 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| 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
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
730–1095 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
168 days in Raleigh County
Growing Tips for Jostaberry in Raleigh County
Direct sow Jostaberry outdoors after May 01 in Raleigh County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 168.0-day growing season in Raleigh County is tight for Jostaberry (730.0-1095.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.
General growing tips
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 →
Jostaberry in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Jostaberry in Raleigh County, WV?
Raleigh County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Jostaberry planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Raleigh County, WV?
Raleigh County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 16.
Your Raleigh County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Raleigh 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.