fruit · transplant · beginner friendly
Elderberry: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating elderberry a few times a week needs about 1 plants in ~60 sq ft, worth about $24 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$3.00/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 1 | ~60 sq ft | ~2 | ~$24 |
| 2 people | 1 | ~60 sq ft | ~2 | ~$24 |
| 4 people | 1 | ~60 sq ft | ~2 | ~$24 |
| 6 people | 2 | ~120 sq ft | ~3 | ~$48 |
Spacing
72" in row · 120" between rows
Sow depth
0"
Days to harvest
120 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 1 – Jun 14 | — |
| Zone 4 | Apr 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Zone 5 | Apr 16 – May 30 | — |
| Zone 6 | Apr 6 – May 20 | — |
| Zone 7 | Mar 22 – May 5 | — |
| Zone 8 | Mar 11 – Apr 24 | — |
| Zone 9 | Feb 6 – Mar 22 | — |
| Zone 10 | Jan 17 – Mar 2 | — |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 8 lbs per plant over ~3 productive weeks (~8 lb).
Watch for
Spotted wing drosophila · Japanese beetles · Aphids · Powdery mildew & gray mold — the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
73 kcal · 7 g fiber · 36 mg vitamin C · 280 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.