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When to Plant Strawberries in Macoupin County, IL

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.

Macoupin County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 859 feet, Macoupin County receives approximately 30.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season.

Macoupin County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Macoupin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Nov 7
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Nov 14
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Nov 23

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 563 gal / 100 sq ft
Strawberries needs ~3,981 GDD — county provides 3,377 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Macoupin County, IL

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Harvest August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Nov 14

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July โ€”
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 6a

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Macoupin 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 Macoupin County, IL?

Macoupin County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Macoupin County, IL?

Macoupin County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Macoupin County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Macoupin County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.