Blog

When to Plant Kiwi in Cleveland County, AR

Kiwi vines produce fuzzy, tangy-sweet fruits and need both male and female plants for pollination. Hardy kiwi varieties (A. arguta) are suited to colder climates.

Cleveland County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 234 days.

At an elevation of 370 feet, Cleveland County receives approximately 49.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kiwi during the growing season.

Cleveland County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
234 days
Last Spring Frost March 17
234 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Cleveland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 7
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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 274 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Kiwi needs ~25,550 GDD — county provides 4,095 GDD May not mature

Kiwi Planting Timeline โ€” Cleveland County, AR

Kiwi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21

ยท 72" apart ยท Rows 96" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

234 days

Growing Tips for Cleveland County

Plant one male vine for every 6-8 female vines. Provide a very sturdy arbor or T-bar trellis. Prune heavily in winter. Protect young plants from frost in cold zones.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kiwi in Cleveland County, AR?

Cleveland County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 17. Plan your Kiwi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cleveland County, AR?

Cleveland County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 17 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cleveland County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Cleveland County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.