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When to Plant Mulberries in Sawyer County, WI

Sawyer County, Wisconsin Zone 4a May

Your May game plan for Sawyer County, Wisconsin

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Sawyer County, Wisconsin this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 17
Avg. first frost September 25
Soil temp (4") 50°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.7 hrs
Looking ahead to June
  • Transplants going out: mulberries

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Mulberries are fast-growing, long-lived trees that produce abundant sweet-tart berries over an extended harvest period. The berries resemble elongated blackberries.

Sawyer County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 815 feet, Sawyer County receives approximately 36.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78°F, so choose short-season varieties of Mulberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Sawyer County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 25

Sawyer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 14
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 Sawyer County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1–7.1) overlaps with Mulberries's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) — Mulberries will thrive.

How to Plant Mulberries

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Mulberries

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

Month Mulberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Mulberries 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.

Mulberries needs ~10,859 GDD — county provides 1,113 GDD May not mature

Mulberries Planting Timeline — Sawyer County, WI

Mulberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 14 Jun 14 – Jun 28

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

📆 Growing Season

131 days in Sawyer County

Growing Tips for Mulberries in Sawyer County

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

Your 131.0-day growing season in Sawyer County is tight for Mulberries (730.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant away from driveways and patios as fallen berries stain. Minimal pruning is needed. Harvest by shaking branches over a tarp. Birds love mulberries so plant extra.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mulberries in Sawyer County, WI?

Sawyer County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Mulberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sawyer County, WI?

Sawyer County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is September 25.

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Your Sawyer County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Sawyer County (Zone 4a). 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 Sawyer 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.