Blog

When to Plant Kale in Poinsett 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.

Poinsett County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 247 feet, Poinsett County receives approximately 45.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kale during the growing season.

Poinsett County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Poinsett County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 29

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Kale needs ~1,005 GDD — county provides 3,819 GDD Excellent fit

Kale Planting Timeline โ€” Poinsett County, AR

Kale Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 29
Fall Sowing August 27 Aug 27 โ€“ Sep 10
Harvest May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jul 12

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
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 7b

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Poinsett 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 Poinsett County, AR?

Poinsett County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Kale planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Poinsett County, AR?

Poinsett County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Poinsett 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 Poinsett County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.