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When to Plant Echinacea in Izard County, AR

Echinacea (purple coneflower) is a native prairie perennial valued for its immune-supporting properties and beautiful daisy-like flowers that attract pollinators.

Izard County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 281 feet, Izard County receives approximately 48.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Echinacea during the growing season.

Izard County, AR (Zone 6b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Izard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Oct 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 30 – Nov 8

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
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Echinacea needs ~2,400 GDD — county provides 3,344 GDD Excellent fit

Echinacea Planting Timeline โ€” Izard County, AR

Echinacea Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Harvest August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Oct 21

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

120โ€“180 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Izard County

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost or direct sow in fall for spring germination. Seeds need cold stratification. Deadhead to prolong blooming or leave seed heads for birds.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Echinacea in Izard County, AR?

Izard County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Echinacea planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Izard County, AR?

Izard County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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