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When to Plant Blueberries in Kenosha County, WI

Kenosha County, Wisconsin Zone 5b May

Top priorities for Kenosha County, Wisconsin gardeners in May

A quick May briefing for Kenosha County, Wisconsin gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost April 22
Avg. first frost October 16
Soil temp (4") 57°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Plant out blueberries

    Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.

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Blueberries are long-lived shrubs producing sweet, antioxidant-rich berries. They require acidic soil and are attractive ornamental plants with fall color and spring flowers.

Kenosha County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 762 feet, Kenosha County receives approximately 36.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Blueberries during the growing season.

Kenosha County, WI (Zone 5b) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16
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Kenosha County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 31

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 Kenosha County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.8) is more alkaline than Blueberries prefers (4.5–5.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Kenosha County is excellent for Blueberries — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) — Blueberries will thrive.

How to Plant Blueberries

48"
Between Plants
72"
Between Rows

How Much Blueberries to Grow

5-10 lbs
Average yield per plant
2
Plants per person
48 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 8 blueberries plants in about 192 sq ft. In Kenosha County's 177-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.2″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 613 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Blueberries

Blueberries needs approximately 1.2 inches of water per week (5.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Blueberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 5.2" 3.5" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
May 5.2" 3.8" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 5.2" 4.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jul 5.2" 3.6" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 5.2" 4.3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 5.2" 3.5" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 5.2" 2.9" 2.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Blueberries 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.

Blueberries needs ~12,547 GDD — county provides 2,433 GDD May not mature

Blueberries Planting Timeline — Kenosha County, WI

Blueberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 – May 27

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.2"/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 5b

📆 Growing Season

177 days in Kenosha County

Growing Tips for Blueberries in Kenosha County

Direct sow Blueberries outdoors after April 22 in Kenosha County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 177.0-day growing season in Kenosha County is tight for Blueberries (730.0-1095.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant at least two varieties for cross-pollination. Acidify soil with sulfur or pine needle mulch to maintain pH 4.5-5.5. Protect ripening berries from birds with netting.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Blueberries in Kenosha County, WI?

Kenosha County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Blueberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kenosha County, WI?

Kenosha County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 16.

🌱

Your Kenosha County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Kenosha County (Zone 5b). 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 Kenosha County, WI. 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.