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When to Plant Strawberries in Wexford 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.

Wexford County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 1,167 feet, Wexford County receives approximately 35.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Strawberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Wexford County, MI (Zone 5a) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
140 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Wexford County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 1 – Nov 17
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 7 🍅 Harvest: Sep 6 – Nov 22
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 20 🍅 Harvest: Sep 19 – Dec 5

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
Drought risk

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

Strawberries needs ~2,958 GDD — county provides 1,820 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Wexford County, MI

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Jun 21
Harvest September 6 Sep 6 โ€“ Nov 22

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 5a

Growing Season

140 days

Growing Tips for Wexford 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 Wexford County, MI?

Wexford County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wexford County, MI?

Wexford County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is October 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wexford County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Wexford County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.