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When to plant Foxglove in Stone County, AR

In Stone County, plant Foxglove in spring between April 8 and April 29, once soil temps hold above 50°F. Stone County's last frost averages April 1, so most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F. For a fall crop, sow between and — roughly 80–120 days before the first frost on October 27.

When to Plant Foxglove in Stone County, AR

Stone County, Arkansas Zone 7b June

June to-do list for Stone County, Arkansas

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Stone County, Arkansas this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 1
Avg. first frost October 27
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Start harvesting foxglove

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: foxglove

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Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a stately cottage garden classic, sending up dramatic 3–5 foot spires of tubular flowers — spotted purple, pink, white, or cream — in late spring and early summer. Technically biennial (flowering in its second year), foxglove perpetuates itself so freely from self-sown seed that established plantings appear to be permanent perennials. A key source plant for the heart medication digitalis, all parts are highly toxic if ingested. Bumblebees are the primary pollinators, crawling deep into each bell-shaped flower. Partial shade and cool, moist woodland-edge conditions suit foxglove best; it resents heat and drought.

Stone County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,490 feet, Stone County receives approximately 48.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Foxglove during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Stone County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Stone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Foxglove Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Apr 2 🌸 Bloom: May 21 – Jun 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🌸 Bloom: May 27 – Jul 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🌸 Bloom: Jun 14 – Jul 19

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 Stone County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–7.1) overlaps with Foxglove's range (5.5–6.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Foxglove.

How to Plant Foxglove

0.1"
Planting Depth
18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Foxglove

3
successive plantings in your 209-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 29 to harvest before frost.

Foxglove 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 43 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Foxglove

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

Month Foxglove Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Foxglove 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.

Foxglove needs ~1,675 GDD — county provides 3,500 GDD Excellent fit

Foxglove Planting Timeline — Stone County, AR

Foxglove Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 4 Feb 4 – Feb 18
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 29
Bloom May 27 May 27 – Jul 1

Plant 0.1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

209 days in Stone County

Growing Tips for Foxglove in Stone County

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

General growing tips

Sow seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost or direct-sow outdoors in late spring/early summer for next-year bloom (biennial cycle). Surface-sow — seeds need light to germinate. Transplant after last frost into cool, moist, well-amended soil. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal; full shade reduces bloom but is tolerated. Keep consistently moist. First-year plants form a basal rosette only; second-year plants produce flower spikes. After bloom, cut the main spike before seed scatters to prevent excessive spreading, or leave some spikes to self-seed for naturalizing. Perennial species (D. grandiflora, D. x mertonensis) maintain clumps without requiring self-seeding. Wear gloves when handling — all plant parts toxic.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Foxglove in Stone County, AR?

Stone County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Foxglove planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stone County, AR?

Stone County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is October 27.

When should I plant Foxglove in Stone County, AR?

In Stone County, AR, plant Foxglove after the last frost (around April 1) and before the first frost (around October 27). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Stone County, AR for Foxglove?

Stone County sits in USDA Zone 7b. Foxglove grows reliably in zones 3a through 9a, so it's a good fit here.

Can Foxglove grow in Stone County's climate?

Yes — Foxglove grows well in Stone County's temperate climate. Stone County averages a 209-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 1 and first frost around October 27.

🌱

Your Stone County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Stone 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 Stone County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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