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When to Plant Strawberries in Kingman 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.

Kingman County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 746 feet, Kingman County receives approximately 21.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season.

Kingman County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Kingman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Nov 11
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Nov 17
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Nov 29

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.

Soil Compatibility in Kingman County

How your county's soil matches Strawberries's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“7.6) is more alkaline than Strawberries prefers (5.5โ€“6.8). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Kingman County is excellent for Strawberries โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) โ€” Strawberries will thrive.

How to Plant Strawberries

12"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

How Much Strawberries to Grow

1 lb
Average yield per plant
10
Plants per person
20 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 40 strawberries plants in about 80 sq ft. In Kingman County's 193-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,115 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Strawberries

Strawberries needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Strawberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 0.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Kingman County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Strawberries Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Strawberries needs ~3,981 GDD — county provides 3,377 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Kingman County, KS

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Harvest August 4 Aug 4 โ€“ Nov 17

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“365 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“6.8 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

193 days in Kingman County

Growing Tips for Strawberries in Kingman County

Direct sow Strawberries outdoors after April 14 in Kingman County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 193.0-day growing season in Kingman County is tight for Strawberries (90.0-365.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Kingman County receives only 21" of rain annually. Strawberries needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Strawberries in Kingman County, KS?

Kingman County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kingman County, KS?

Kingman County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kingman County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Kingman County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.