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When to Plant Elderberries in Perry County, AR

Elderberries are fast-growing shrubs or small trees producing clusters of small, dark berries used for syrups, wines, and immune-boosting preparations. The flowers are also edible.

Perry County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 663 feet, Perry County receives approximately 51.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Elderberries during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Elderberries root diseases.

Perry County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Perry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 6

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Elderberries needs ~17,338 GDD — county provides 4,332 GDD May not mature

Elderberries Planting Timeline โ€” Perry County, AR

Elderberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

730โ€“1095 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 6.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Perry County

Plant at least two varieties for cross-pollination. Prune annually to remove old canes and maintain shape. Berries must be cooked before eating as raw berries are mildly toxic.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Elderberries in Perry County, AR?

Perry County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Elderberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Perry County, AR?

Perry County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Perry County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Perry County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.