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When to Plant Figs in Phillips County, AR

Figs are ancient fruiting trees or shrubs producing uniquely sweet fruits with soft flesh. They are surprisingly cold-hardy for a Mediterranean plant and thrive against warm walls.

Phillips County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 678 feet, Phillips County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93Β°F, providing good warmth for Figs during the growing season.

Phillips County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Phillips 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: Mar 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 28

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.

Soil Compatibility in Phillips County

How your county's soil matches Figs's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.7) overlaps with Figs's range (6.0–6.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Phillips County is excellent for Figs β€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Figs.

How to Plant Figs

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 352 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 β€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Figs

Figs needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Figs Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan β€” 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb β€” 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.5" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" πŸ’§ Light watering
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.4" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.2" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.3" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" πŸ’§ Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" πŸ’§ Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" πŸ’§ Light watering
Dec β€” 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Phillips County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall β€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Figs Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" β€” every day above 50Β°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Figs needs ~25,231 GDD — county provides 4,799 GDD May not mature

Figs Planting Timeline β€” Phillips County, AR

Figs Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18

Β· 120" apart Β· Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

β˜€οΈ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

πŸ’§ Water

1"/week Β· Only during dry spells

πŸ“… Days to Maturity

730–1825 days

πŸ§ͺ Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 Β· Your soil: acceptable

πŸ—ΊοΈ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

πŸ“† Growing Season

243 days in Phillips County

Growing Tips for Figs in Phillips County

Direct sow Figs outdoors after March 14 in Phillips County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 243.0-day growing season in Phillips County is tight for Figs (730.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant against a south-facing wall for maximum heat. Restrict root growth with barriers to encourage fruiting over vegetative growth. Protect in winter with wrapping in cold zones.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Figs in Phillips County, AR?

Phillips County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Figs planting based on this frost date β€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Phillips County, AR?

Phillips County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner β€” designed to help Phillips County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Phillips County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.