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When to Plant Strawberries in Baraga County, MI

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.

Baraga County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 575 feet, Baraga County receives approximately 38.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Strawberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Baraga County, MI (Zone 4a) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 19
136 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Baraga County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Sep 11 – Nov 6
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 16 🍅 Harvest: Sep 15 – Nov 10
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 30 🍅 Harvest: Sep 29 – Nov 24

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Strawberries needs ~2,275 GDD — county provides 1,360 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Baraga County, MI

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Jun 30
Harvest September 15 Sep 15 โ€“ Nov 10

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August โ€”
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 4a

Growing Season

136 days

Growing Tips for Baraga 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 Baraga County, MI?

Baraga County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Baraga County, MI?

Baraga County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Baraga County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Baraga County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.