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When to Plant Strawberries in Trempealeau County, WI

Trempealeau County, Wisconsin Zone 4b May

Your May game plan for Trempealeau County, Wisconsin

Here's what deserves your attention in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 4b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost May 15
Avg. first frost September 30
Soil temp (4") 52°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.6 hrs
June will be here before you know it — start on
  • Transplants going out: strawberries

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Strawberries are a beloved perennial fruit available as June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral types. They are one of the easiest fruits to grow in containers or garden beds.

Trempealeau County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 138 days.

At an elevation of 1,222 feet, Trempealeau County receives approximately 39.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Strawberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Trempealeau County, WI (Zone 4b) Short season
138 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
138 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Trempealeau County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Sep 5 – Oct 31
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Sep 11 – Nov 6
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 19 🍅 Harvest: Sep 18 – Nov 13

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 Trempealeau County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–7.2) overlaps with Strawberries's range (5.5–6.8), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) — Strawberries will thrive.

How to Plant Strawberries

12"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

How Much Strawberries to Grow

1 lb
Average yield per plant
10
Plants per person
20 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 40 strawberries plants in about 80 sq ft. In Trempealeau County's 138-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Strawberries

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

Month Strawberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Strawberries 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.

Strawberries needs ~2,446 GDD — county provides 1,483 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline — Trempealeau County, WI

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 12 Jun 12 – Jun 26
Harvest September 11 Sep 11 – Nov 6

· 12" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–365 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.8 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

138 days in Trempealeau County

Growing Tips for Strawberries in Trempealeau County

Direct sow Strawberries outdoors after May 15 in Trempealeau County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 138.0-day growing season in Trempealeau County is tight for Strawberries (90.0-365.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant with crowns at soil level. Remove runners the first year to strengthen plants. Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean and suppress weeds. Renovate June-bearing beds after harvest.

Recommended Strawberries Varieties for Trempealeau County

June-bearing varieties suited for northern climates

Sparkle Jewel Earliglow

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Strawberries in Trempealeau County, WI?

Trempealeau County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Trempealeau County, WI?

Trempealeau County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 30.

🌱

Your Trempealeau County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Trempealeau County (Zone 4b). 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 Trempealeau 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.