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When to Plant Kale in Perry County, AR

Kale is an exceptionally hardy, nutrient-dense green available in curly, lacinato, and Russian varieties. It tolerates heavy frost and often tastes sweeter after cold exposure.

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 Kale during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Kale 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 (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jul 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5

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
Kale needs ~1,140 GDD — county provides 4,332 GDD Excellent fit

Kale Planting Timeline โ€” Perry County, AR

Kale Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Apr 2
Fall Sowing August 31 Aug 31 โ€“ Sep 14
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jul 16

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Perry County

Direct sow or transplant in early spring or late summer. Harvest outer leaves first to keep plants productive. Kale overwinters in many climates and can provide greens all year.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Kale Seeds
Life Cycle Biennial
Pollination Cross-Pollinated (insects)
How to Collect Allow 2nd year flower stalks to dry. Harvest pods when tan.
Storage Store airtight; viable 5 years at 35ยฐF, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 1/2 mile from other brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, etc.) โ€” they all cross.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kale in Perry County, AR?

Perry County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Kale 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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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 Perry County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.