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When to Plant Strawberries in Botetourt County, VA

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.

Botetourt County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 897 feet, Botetourt County receives approximately 40.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season.

Botetourt County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Botetourt County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Nov 19
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Nov 26
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Sep 2 – Dec 16

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Strawberries needs ~3,640 GDD — county provides 2,912 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Botetourt County, VA

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28
Harvest August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Nov 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 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 6b

Growing Season

182 days

Growing Tips for Botetourt 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 Botetourt County, VA?

Botetourt County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Botetourt County, VA?

Botetourt County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Botetourt County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Botetourt County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.