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When to Plant Strawberries in Dodge County, MN

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.

Dodge County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 1,261 feet, Dodge County receives approximately 34 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.

Dodge County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Dodge 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: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 21 – Oct 16
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Oct 20
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 11 🍅 Harvest: Sep 10 – Nov 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 603 gal / 100 sq ft
Strawberries needs ~2,787 GDD — county provides 1,984 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Dodge County, MN

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 9
Harvest August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Oct 20

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
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

162 days

Growing Tips for Dodge 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 Dodge County, MN?

Dodge County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dodge County, MN?

Dodge County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dodge 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 Dodge County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.