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When to Plant Kiwi in Fannin County, TX

Fannin County, Texas Zone 8a July

Fannin County, Texas gardeners: here's your July plan

July rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Fannin County, Texas.

Avg. last frost March 16
Avg. first frost November 15
Soil temp (4") 86°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs

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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.

Fannin County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 244 days.

At an elevation of 282 feet, Fannin County receives approximately 63.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°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.

Fannin County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
244 days
Last Spring Frost March 16
244 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Fannin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Kiwi Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 6
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.

Soil Compatibility in Fannin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.8) is more alkaline than Kiwi prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Kiwi.

How to Plant Kiwi

72"
Between Plants
96"
Between Rows

Kiwi Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 11.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Fannin 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 ~23,360 GDD — county provides 3,904 GDD May not mature

Kiwi Planting Timeline — Fannin County, TX

Kiwi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 20

· 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 · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

244 days in Fannin County

Growing Tips for Kiwi in Fannin County

Direct sow Kiwi outdoors after March 16 in Fannin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 244.0-day growing season in Fannin 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 Fannin County, TX?

Fannin County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 16. Plan your Kiwi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fannin County, TX?

Fannin County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 16 and first fall frost is November 15.

🌱

Your Fannin County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Fannin 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 Fannin County, TX. 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.