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When to Plant Strawberries in Fairfax 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.

Fairfax County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 211 days.

At an elevation of 548 feet, Fairfax County receives approximately 53 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Strawberries root diseases.

Fairfax County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
211 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
211 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Fairfax County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Nov 27
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Dec 7
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Dec 26

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
Strawberries needs ~4,493 GDD — county provides 4,167 GDD Tight fit

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Fairfax County, VA

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Harvest July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Dec 7

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 7a

Growing Season

211 days

Growing Tips for Fairfax 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 Fairfax County, VA?

Fairfax County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fairfax County, VA?

Fairfax County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 3.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fairfax County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Fairfax County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.