When to plant raspberry in zone 5a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5A

Growing SeasonZone 5a

Last frost ~May 10First frost ~Oct 1Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDECJANFEBMARAPRMAY

Transplant May 3 · First harvest May 3 · Wrap by Oct 1

Last spring frostMay 10

Transplant outMay 3

First harvestMay 3

Last harvestOct 1

First fall frostOct 1

Why these dates work in zone 5a

Zone 5a's last spring frost averages May 10 and first fall frost Oct 1 — about 144 frost-free days. Raspberry tolerates light frost, so you can set plants out ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall.

Common questions

How long does raspberry take to grow in zone 5a?

Raspberry matures in about 365–548 days from transplanting. In zone 5a that means setting plants out around May 3 and first picking around May 3.

Will raspberry survive frost in zone 5a?

Yes — raspberry tolerates light frost. In zone 5a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around May 10) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 1).

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full raspberry growing guide →