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When to Plant Strawberries in Valdez-Cordova, AK

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.

Valdez-Cordova, Alaska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 2,888 feet, Valdez-Cordova receives approximately 38.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 66ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Strawberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Valdez-Cordova, AK (Zone 5b) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Valdez-Cordova Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 20 – Nov 5
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 1 – Nov 17
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 25 🍅 Harvest: Sep 24 – Dec 10

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Strawberries needs ~0 GDD — county provides 0 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Valdez-Cordova, AK

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jun 16
Harvest September 1 Sep 1 โ€“ Nov 17

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

146 days

Growing Tips for Valdez-Cordova

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 Valdez-Cordova, AK?

Valdez-Cordova is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Valdez-Cordova, AK?

Valdez-Cordova, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Valdez-Cordova gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Valdez-Cordova, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.