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When to Plant Zucchini in Clay County, AR

Zucchini is an incredibly prolific summer squash that can produce an abundance of fruit from just a few plants. It is versatile in the kitchen from grilling to baking.

Clay County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 1,448 feet, Clay County receives approximately 54.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Zucchini during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Zucchini root diseases.

Clay County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Clay County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 13

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Zucchini needs ~919 GDD — county provides 3,850 GDD Excellent fit

Zucchini Planting Timeline โ€” Clay County, AR

Zucchini Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Direct Sow April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 24
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jul 24

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

45โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

220 days

Growing Tips for Clay County

Direct sow after last frost. Harvest when fruits are 6-8 inches long for best flavor and texture. Check plants daily in summer as fruits can double in size overnight.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Zucchini in Clay County, AR?

Clay County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Zucchini planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clay County, AR?

Clay County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clay County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Clay County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.