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When to Plant Strawberries in Marshall County, IN

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.

Marshall County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 1,140 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 34.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Strawberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Marshall County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 26
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Nov 1
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 1 – Nov 17

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 735 gal / 100 sq ft
Strawberries needs ~2,958 GDD — county provides 2,275 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Marshall County, IN

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Harvest August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Nov 1

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 5b

Growing Season

175 days

Growing Tips for Marshall 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 Marshall County, IN?

Marshall County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marshall County, IN?

Marshall County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Marshall County 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 Marshall County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.