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When to Plant Strawberries in Dukes County, MA

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.

Dukes County, Massachusetts is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 676 feet, Dukes County receives approximately 48.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season.

Dukes County, MA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Dukes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Dec 15
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Dec 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (299 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 4 🍅 Harvest: Sep 3 – Jan 14

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 ~3,640 GDD — county provides 2,832 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Dukes County, MA

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 16 May 16 โ€“ May 30
Harvest August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Dec 26

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 Harvest

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 7a

Growing Season

177 days

Growing Tips for Dukes 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 Dukes County, MA?

Dukes County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dukes County, MA?

Dukes County, Massachusetts is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dukes County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Dukes County, MA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.