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When to Plant Strawberries in Montmorency 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.

Montmorency County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 1,107 feet, Montmorency County receives approximately 40.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Strawberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Montmorency County, MI (Zone 4b) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 19
135 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Montmorency County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.8

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Strawberries needs ~2,787 GDD — county provides 1,653 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Montmorency 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 4b

Growing Season

135 days

Growing Tips for Montmorency 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 Montmorency County, MI?

Montmorency County is in Zone 4b 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 Montmorency County, MI?

Montmorency County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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