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When to Plant Kiwi in St. Francis 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.

St. Francis County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 234 days.

At an elevation of 1,429 feet, St. Francis County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kiwi during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Kiwi root diseases.

St. Francis County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
234 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
234 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

St. Francis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 10
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 169 gal / 100 sq ft
Kiwi needs ~23,360 GDD — county provides 3,744 GDD May not mature

Kiwi Planting Timeline โ€” St. Francis County, AR

Kiwi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24

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 7b

Growing Season

234 days

Growing Tips for St. Francis 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 St. Francis County, AR?

St. Francis County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Kiwi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is St. Francis County, AR?

St. Francis County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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