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When to Plant Strawberries in Winston County, AL

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.

Winston County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.

At an elevation of 281 feet, Winston County receives approximately 51.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Strawberries, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Strawberries root diseases.

Winston County, AL (Zone 7a) Long season
218 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
218 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Winston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Nov 22
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Nov 30
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Dec 20

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Strawberries needs ~4,664 GDD — county provides 4,469 GDD Tight fit

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Winston County, AL

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Nov 30

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“365 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 6.8

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

218 days

Growing Tips for Winston County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Strawberries in Winston County, AL?

Winston County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Winston County, AL?

Winston County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Winston County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Winston County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.