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When to Plant Hardy Kiwi in Sanpete County, UT

Sanpete County, Utah Zone 6a May

What to do in May

Each item below is timed to Sanpete County, Utah's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost May 21
Avg. first frost September 28
Soil temp (4") 38°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
June prep starts now
  • Transplants going out: hardy kiwi

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Hardy kiwi produces grape-sized, smooth-skinned fruits eaten whole without peeling. Unlike fuzzy kiwi, it is extremely cold-hardy to -25F once established.

Sanpete County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 130 days.

At an elevation of 6,969 feet, Sanpete County receives approximately 14.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Hardy Kiwi during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Hardy Kiwi successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Sanpete County, UT (Zone 6a) Short season
130 days
Last Spring Frost May 21
130 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Sanpete County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 1

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 Sanpete County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.8) is more alkaline than Hardy Kiwi prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Hardy Kiwi

72"
Between Plants
96"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 751 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Hardy Kiwi

Hardy 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 Hardy Kiwi Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Hardy 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.

Hardy Kiwi needs ~21,170 GDD — county provides 1,885 GDD May not mature

Hardy Kiwi Planting Timeline — Sanpete County, UT

Hardy Kiwi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 11 Jun 11 – Jun 25

· 72" apart · Rows 96" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

130 days in Sanpete County

Growing Tips for Hardy Kiwi in Sanpete County

Direct sow Hardy Kiwi outdoors after May 21 in Sanpete County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 130.0-day growing season in Sanpete County is tight for Hardy Kiwi (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Sanpete County receives only 14" of rain annually. Hardy Kiwi needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Plant male and female vines for pollination. Provide very strong trellising as vines become massive. Prune similarly to grapes. Protect young plants from late spring frost.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Hardy Kiwi in Sanpete County, UT?

Sanpete County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 21. Plan your Hardy Kiwi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sanpete County, UT?

Sanpete County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 21 and first fall frost is September 28.

🌱

Your Sanpete County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Sanpete County (Zone 6a). 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 Sanpete County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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