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When to Plant Hardy Kiwi in Washington County, OH

Hardy kiwi produces grape-sized, smooth-skinned fruits eaten whole without peeling. Unlike fuzzy kiwi, it is extremely cold-hardy to -25F once established.

Washington County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 803 feet, Washington County receives approximately 30.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Hardy Kiwi during the growing season.

Washington County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Washington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 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
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 472 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Hardy Kiwi needs ~24,455 GDD — county provides 2,914 GDD May not mature

Hardy Kiwi Planting Timeline โ€” Washington County, OH

Hardy Kiwi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jun 2

ยท 72" apart ยท Rows 96" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
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

1095โ€“1825 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

174 days

Growing Tips for Washington County

Plant male and female vines for pollination. Provide very strong trellising as vines become massive. Prune similarly to grapes. Protect young plants from late spring frost.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Hardy Kiwi in Washington County, OH?

Washington County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Hardy Kiwi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washington County, OH?

Washington County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Washington County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Washington County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.