Blog

When to plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Pulaski County, AR

Pulaski County's short 236-day growing season means one Sedum (Stonecrop) planting between March 20 and April 3. No fall crop in Zone 8a.

When to Plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Pulaski County, AR

Pulaski County, Arkansas Zone 8a July

Your July gardening checklist

A quick July briefing for Pulaski County, Arkansas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 20
Avg. first frost November 11
Soil temp (4") 85°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Start harvesting sedum (stonecrop)

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

Get ahead of August
  • First harvests: sedum (stonecrop)

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile, formerly Sedum spectabile) is a supremely tough, drought-tolerant perennial prized for its late-season interest. The flat-topped clusters of starry flowers open pink in late summer and deepen to copper-red as temperatures cool, remaining attractive well into fall and providing seed heads that feed birds through winter. Succulent foliage emerges blue-green in spring, is handsome all season, and turns bronzy after frost. Remarkably adaptable — thrives in poor, gravelly, or sandy soils where other perennials struggle — and virtually maintenance-free once established.

Pulaski County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 1,055 feet, Pulaski County receives approximately 48.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Sedum (Stonecrop) during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Fall Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Pulaski County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Pulaski County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Mar 13 🌸 Bloom: Jul 3 – Sep 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Mar 20 🌸 Bloom: Jul 10 – Oct 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Apr 9 🌸 Bloom: Jul 30 – Oct 22

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 Pulaski County

How your county's soil matches Sedum (Stonecrop)'s growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–7.0) overlaps with Sedum (Stonecrop)'s range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Pulaski County is excellent for Sedum (Stonecrop) — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Sedum (Stonecrop)

1"
Planting Depth
18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Sedum (Stonecrop)

4
successive plantings in your 236-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 13 to harvest before frost.

Sedum (Stonecrop) Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Sedum (Stonecrop)

Sedum (Stonecrop) needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Sedum (Stonecrop) Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Sedum (Stonecrop) 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.

Sedum (Stonecrop) needs ~1,200 GDD — county provides 3,776 GDD Excellent fit

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Timeline — Pulaski County, AR

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 23 Jan 23 – Feb 6
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3
Bloom July 10 Jul 10 – Oct 2

Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

236 days in Pulaski County

Growing Tips for Sedum (Stonecrop) in Pulaski County

Direct sow Sedum (Stonecrop) outdoors after March 20 in Pulaski County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Plant divisions or container plants in spring after frost danger passes, or in early fall. Excellent drainage is the primary requirement — upright border sedums will rot in wet, heavy soils over winter. Lean soil actually improves performance; avoid over-fertilizing which causes floppy stems. Tall cultivars (Autumn Joy, Matrona) may need light staking in rich soil. Divide every 3–4 years in spring when centers become sparse. Deadhead selectively — leaving seed heads through winter extends ornamental interest and feeds goldfinches. Very low water requirement once established. Year 2+ plants reach full clump size and peak bloom display.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Pulaski County, AR?

Pulaski County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Sedum (Stonecrop) planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pulaski County, AR?

Pulaski County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 11.

When should I plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Pulaski County, AR?

In Pulaski County, AR, plant Sedum (Stonecrop) after the last frost (around March 20) and before the first frost (around November 11). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Pulaski County, AR for Sedum (Stonecrop)?

Pulaski County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Sedum (Stonecrop) grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Sedum (Stonecrop) grow in Pulaski County's climate?

Yes — Sedum (Stonecrop) grows well in Pulaski County's temperate climate. Pulaski County averages a 236-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 20 and first frost around November 11.

🌱

Your Pulaski County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Pulaski 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Pulaski County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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