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When to Plant Strawberries in Rappahannock 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.

Rappahannock County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 370 feet, Rappahannock County receives approximately 46.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season.

Rappahannock County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Rappahannock County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Nov 18
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Nov 24
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 4 🍅 Harvest: Sep 3 – Dec 17

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 ~3,469 GDD — county provides 2,760 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Rappahannock County, VA

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26
Harvest August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Nov 24

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

181 days

Growing Tips for Rappahannock 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 Rappahannock County, VA?

Rappahannock County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rappahannock County, VA?

Rappahannock County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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