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When to Plant Strawberries in Cowley County, KS

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.

Cowley County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 708 feet, Cowley County receives approximately 31.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season.

Cowley County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Cowley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Nov 6
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Nov 14
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Nov 26

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 565 gal / 100 sq ft
Strawberries needs ~3,469 GDD — county provides 3,004 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Cowley County, KS

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 6b

Growing Season

197 days

Growing Tips for Cowley 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 Cowley County, KS?

Cowley County is in Zone 6b 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 Cowley County, KS?

Cowley County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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