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When to Plant Hardy Kiwi in Carbon County, PA

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

Carbon County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 1,110 feet, Carbon County receives approximately 44.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Hardy Kiwi to ensure they mature before fall.

Carbon County, PA (Zone 5b) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Carbon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 4

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Hardy Kiwi needs ~18,980 GDD — county provides 2,288 GDD May not mature

Hardy Kiwi Planting Timeline โ€” Carbon County, PA

Hardy Kiwi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31

ยท 72" apart ยท Rows 96" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

1095โ€“1825 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

176 days

Growing Tips for Carbon 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 Carbon County, PA?

Carbon County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Hardy Kiwi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carbon County, PA?

Carbon County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Carbon County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Carbon County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.