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When to Plant Strawberries in Lincoln County, WY

Lincoln County, Wyoming Zone 5b May

May to-do list for Lincoln County, Wyoming

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

Avg. last frost June 7
Avg. first frost September 13
Soil temp (4") 34°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.4 hrs
Before June arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

Lincoln County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 7 and the first fall frost is September 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 98 days.

At an elevation of 6,850 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 17.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Strawberries to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Strawberries successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Lincoln County, WY (Zone 5b) Very short season
98 days
Last Spring Frost June 7
98 growing days
First Fall Frost September 13

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Sep 11 – Nov 27
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 28 🍅 Harvest: Sep 27 – Dec 13
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jul 12 🍅 Harvest: Oct 11 – Dec 27

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 Lincoln County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–8.3) is more alkaline than Strawberries prefers (5.5–6.8). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Strawberries.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Strawberries.

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 Lincoln County's 98-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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 571 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Lincoln 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 ~2,958 GDD — county provides 1,274 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline — Lincoln County, WY

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 28 Jun 28 – Jul 12
Harvest September 27 Sep 27 – Dec 13

· 12" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

90–365 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.8 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

98 days in Lincoln County

Growing Tips for Strawberries in Lincoln County

Direct sow Strawberries outdoors after June 07 in Lincoln County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 98.0-day growing season in Lincoln County is tight for Strawberries (90.0-365.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Lincoln County receives only 18" of rain annually. Strawberries needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, WY?

Lincoln County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 7. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, WY?

Lincoln County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 7 and first fall frost is September 13.

🌱

Your Lincoln County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, WY. 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.