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When to Plant Kiwi in Johnson 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.

Johnson County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 222 days.

At an elevation of 1,347 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kiwi during the growing season.

Johnson County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
222 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
222 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Johnson 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: Apr 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 30

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 118 gal / 100 sq ft
Kiwi needs ~26,645 GDD — county provides 4,051 GDD May not mature

Kiwi Planting Timeline โ€” Johnson County, AR

Kiwi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30

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 7a

Growing Season

222 days

Growing Tips for Johnson 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 Johnson County, AR?

Johnson County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Kiwi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnson County, AR?

Johnson County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Johnson County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Johnson County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.