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When to Plant Elderberries in Johnson County, WY

Elderberries are fast-growing shrubs or small trees producing clusters of small, dark berries used for syrups, wines, and immune-boosting preparations. The flowers are also edible.

Johnson County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 127 days.

At an elevation of 8,281 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 23.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Elderberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Johnson County, WY (Zone 5a) Short season
127 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
127 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Johnson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Elderberries Planting Timeline — Johnson County, WY

Elderberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 7 Jun 7 – Jun 21

· 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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

127 days in Johnson County

Growing Tips for Johnson County

Plant at least two varieties for cross-pollination. Prune annually to remove old canes and maintain shape. Berries must be cooked before eating as raw berries are mildly toxic.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Elderberries in Johnson County, WY?

Johnson County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Elderberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnson County, WY?

Johnson County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is September 21.

🌱

Your Johnson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Johnson County (Zone 5a). 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 Johnson County, WY. 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.