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When to Plant Strawberries in Montgomery 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.

Montgomery County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 590 feet, Montgomery County receives approximately 51 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Strawberries root diseases.

Montgomery County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Montgomery County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Nov 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Nov 29
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Sep 8 – Dec 22

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Strawberries needs ~3,811 GDD — county provides 2,931 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Montgomery County, VA

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Harvest August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Nov 29

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

175 days

Growing Tips for Montgomery 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 Montgomery County, VA?

Montgomery County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montgomery County, VA?

Montgomery County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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