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When to Plant Kiwi in Arkansas County, AR

Arkansas County, Arkansas Zone 7b April

What to do in April

April is a pivotal month for Arkansas County, Arkansas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost March 14
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 56°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 12.9 hrs
  1. Get kiwi in the ground

    Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.

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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.

Arkansas County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 803 feet, Arkansas County receives approximately 51.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Kiwi during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Kiwi root diseases.

Arkansas County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Arkansas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 27

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.

Soil Compatibility in Arkansas County

How your county's soil matches Kiwi's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.6) overlaps with Kiwi's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Arkansas County is excellent for Kiwi — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Kiwi.

How to Plant Kiwi

72"
Between Plants
96"
Between Rows

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 245 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Kiwi

Kiwi needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Kiwi Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Arkansas County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Kiwi Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Kiwi needs ~28,835 GDD — county provides 4,799 GDD May not mature

Kiwi Planting Timeline — Arkansas County, AR

Kiwi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18

· 72" apart · Rows 96" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

243 days in Arkansas County

Growing Tips for Kiwi in Arkansas County

Direct sow Kiwi outdoors after March 14 in Arkansas County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 243.0-day growing season in Arkansas County is tight for Kiwi (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kiwi in Arkansas County, AR?

Arkansas County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Kiwi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Arkansas County, AR?

Arkansas County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 12.

🌱

Your Arkansas County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Arkansas County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Arkansas County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.