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When to plant Freesia in Conway County County,

Plant Freesia in Conway County County, when soil hits 50°F — usually mid-spring. Continue planting through late spring for the spring crop. A second sowing from September 18 to October 2 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Freesia in Conway County, AR

Conway County, Arkansas Zone 8a June

June to-do list for Conway County, Arkansas

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Conway County, Arkansas.

Avg. last frost April 1
Avg. first frost October 30
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs

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Freesias (Freesia spp.) are prized above almost all other cut flowers for their intense, sweet fragrance — a single stem can fill a room. Slender, arching stems carry one-sided sprays of funnel-shaped flowers in white, yellow, pink, orange, red, purple, and lavender. Native to South Africa's Cape region, freesias thrive in cool, mild weather and go dormant in summer heat, making them ideal for mild-winter climates where they bloom in late winter through spring. The 'Marilyn', 'Blue Heaven', and 'Yellow Rivers' cultivars are staples of the commercial cut flower trade.

Conway County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 212 days.

At an elevation of 1,174 feet, Conway County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Freesia during the growing season.

Bulb Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting Fragrant
Conway County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
212 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
212 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Conway County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Freesia Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🌸 Bloom: Apr 21 – May 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (156 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🌸 Bloom: Apr 29 – May 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🌸 Bloom: May 14 – Jun 11

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 Conway County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.5) overlaps with Freesia's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Freesia.

How to Plant Freesia

2"
Planting Depth
3"
Between Plants
4"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 6 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Freesia Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 29 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Freesia

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

Month Freesia Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Freesia 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.

Freesia needs ~1,788 GDD — county provides 3,869 GDD Excellent fit

Freesia Planting Timeline — Conway County, AR

Freesia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Bloom October 16 Oct 16 – Nov 13
Fall Sowing September 18 Sep 18 – Oct 2

Plant 2" deep · 3" apart · Rows 4" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing Bloom
November Bloom
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

84–112 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

212 days in Conway County

Growing Tips for Freesia in Conway County

Direct sow Freesia outdoors after April 01 in Conway County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Plant corms 2 inches deep with the pointed end up, 2–3 inches apart, in autumn (September–November in zones 8–10). Full sun and excellent drainage are essential — freesias rot in soggy soil. They need cool but frost-free growing conditions (40–60°F nights) to initiate flower buds; warm nights above 70°F suppress bloom. In zones 8–9, provide a winter mulch if hard frost threatens. After flowering, allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally; this ripens the corm for the following year. In zones 8a–9b, corms may multiply and naturalize over time but perform best when replanted fresh each fall. In zones 10–11, plant from October through December for a January–April bloom. Freesias are toxic to cats and dogs.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Freesia in Conway County, AR?

Conway County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Freesia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Conway County, AR?

Conway County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is October 30.

When should I plant Freesia in Conway County, ?

In Conway County, , plant Freesia after the last frost (around April 1) and before the first frost (around October 30). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Conway County, for Freesia?

Conway County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Freesia grows reliably in zones 8a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Freesia grow in Conway County's climate?

Yes — Freesia grows well in Conway County's temperate climate. Conway County averages a 212-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 1 and first frost around October 30.

🌱

Your Conway County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Conway County (Zone 8a). 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 Conway County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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