Arkansas Planting Guide: What to Grow and When
Arkansas planting guide covering USDA zones 6a–8a, frost dates for 8 cities, a month-by-month calendar, and the best vegetables, flowers, and fruit for every region.
Arkansas grows everything. In the southern Delta a gardener in Texarkana is already harvesting broccoli while a neighbor in Mountain Home in the Ozark mountains hasn’t direct-sown a seed yet. That 90-mile difference in elevation and 70 miles of latitude translates to a full six weeks of difference in the last frost date — and that gap is why planting guides written for the South so often miss the mark for Arkansas specifically.
This guide is built around University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service research and the state’s actual USDA zone boundaries. It covers the frost dates you need for your city, a month-by-month planting calendar organized by region, and the vegetables, flowers, and fruits that perform best in Arkansas’s combination of hot humid summers, variable soils, and rapidly changing spring weather.
Arkansas USDA Hardiness Zones
Arkansas spans five USDA hardiness zones, shaped primarily by the Ozark and Ouachita mountain systems that run through the northwest and central parts of the state, then flatten into the Mississippi Delta lowlands in the east and the Gulf Coastal Plain in the south.
- Zone 6a (−10 to −5°F): The highest elevations of the Ozark mountains — Mountain Home, Gassville, and the far northern counties. Coldest zone in the state, with the shortest growing season.
- Zone 6b (−5 to 0°F): Fayetteville, Eureka Springs, and the broader northwest corner. Home to the University of Arkansas campus and the state’s most active home gardening community.
- Zone 7a (0 to 5°F): Fort Smith, Conway, Russellville, and the Arkansas River Valley. Warmer than the mountains but still subject to hard spring frosts into early April.
- Zone 7b (5 to 10°F): Little Rock, Hot Springs, and Jonesboro. The most populated zone in the state, and the reference point for most UA Extension planting calendars.
- Zone 8a (10 to 15°F): Texarkana, El Dorado, and the Gulf Coastal Plain counties in the south. Mild winters allow overwintering of plants that would freeze out further north.
If you’ve noticed your local climate warming over the years, that observation matches the data. For a broader look at how Arkansas fits into the national picture of changing planting windows, our guide to climate zone migration covers how the USDA zone boundaries have shifted since 2012 and what it means for long-term plant selection.
Arkansas Frost Dates by City
These dates are the 50% probability frost dates — meaning there’s an equal chance of a frost before or after the listed date. For tender transplants like tomatoes and peppers, UA Extension recommends using the 10% probability date (roughly 2 weeks later in spring, 2 weeks earlier in fall) as a safer target [1].
| City | Zone | Last Spring Frost | First Fall Frost | Growing Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Home | 6a | April 20 | Oct 22 | ~185 days |
| Fayetteville | 6b | April 15 | Oct 28 | ~196 days |
| Fort Smith | 7a | March 31 | Nov 8 | ~222 days |
| Jonesboro | 7b | April 5 | Nov 4 | ~213 days |
| Little Rock | 7b | March 20 | Nov 13 | ~238 days |
| Hot Springs | 7b | March 18 | Nov 15 | ~242 days |
| Pine Bluff | 7b–8a | March 15 | Nov 17 | ~247 days |
| Texarkana | 8a | March 10 | Nov 22 | ~257 days |
Arkansas Soils and Climate Challenges
Arkansas soils are as varied as the zones. The Ozark Highlands have thin, rocky, acidic soils with excellent drainage — a challenge for heavy feeders like corn but a natural home for blueberries, which need pH 4.5–5.5. The River Valley has silt loam and clay loam soils that hold moisture well. The Delta region has the richest agricultural soils in the state — deep, dark alluvial deposits that grow cotton and soybeans commercially and produce outstanding vegetable gardens with minimal amendment. The Ouachita mountain foothills have sandy loam mixed with clay that drains better than Delta soil but holds fewer nutrients.
Arkansas summers are the primary gardening challenge statewide. Little Rock averages 78 days above 90°F annually, and humidity keeps nighttime temperatures high, which stresses cool-season crops rapidly in late May. That heat is why UA Extension specifically recommends heat-tolerant tomato varieties like Heatmaster and Celebrity rather than northern varieties like Brandywine that struggle when nights stay above 72°F [1].
Spring is the other variable. A warm February often pushes gardeners to transplant too early, followed by a late-March freeze that kills tender seedlings. The UA Extension rule: wait for the soil temperature at 4 inches to reach 60°F before transplanting tomatoes or peppers — that matters more than the calendar date, because cold soil halts root development even if the air stays warm [1].
Month-by-Month Arkansas Planting Calendar
The calendar below is organized by region: North Arkansas (zones 6a–6b, last frost April 15–20), Central Arkansas (zones 7a–7b, last frost March 20–31), and South Arkansas (zone 8a, last frost before March 15). For a complete 12-month succession strategy that goes beyond vegetables, our year-round planting guide covers annuals, perennials, and bulbs month by month.
| Month | North AR (6a–6b) | Central AR (7a–7b) | South AR (8a) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Order seeds. Plan crop rotation. Soil test. | Direct-sow spinach, kale under row cover. Start onion seeds indoors. | Direct-sow cool-season crops outdoors. Transplant cabbage, broccoli. |
| February | Start onions, peppers, tomatoes indoors under lights. | Start tomatoes, peppers, eggplant indoors. Direct-sow lettuce in cold frame. | Plant Irish potatoes. Direct-sow carrots, beets, radishes, lettuce outdoors. |
| March | Direct-sow peas, spinach, kale outdoors (mid-month). Start cukes, squash indoors. | Transplant cabbage, broccoli, onion sets outdoors. Plant asparagus crowns. | Last frost before March 15. Transplant tomatoes, peppers after mid-month. |
| April | Plant Irish potatoes (early April). After April 20: transplant tomatoes, peppers. | After April 1: transplant tomatoes, peppers, squash. Direct-sow beans, corn, cucumbers. | Direct-sow beans, corn, cucumbers, squash. Transplant melons. |
| May | Direct-sow beans, corn, cucumbers, squash (early May). Transplant melons. | Direct-sow melons, okra, sweet potato slips. Main summer garden in ground. | Plant sweet potato slips, okra. Begin summer succession plantings. |
| June | Direct-sow okra, sweet potato slips. Summer maintenance begins. | Continue okra succession planting. Keep soil mulched against heat. Water deeply. | Start fall crop planning. Direct-sow heat-tolerant pole beans. |
| July | Start fall brassica transplants indoors. Succession-plant beans. | Start fall cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower transplants indoors (mid-July). | Direct-sow fall beans, cucumbers. Transplant fall squash mid-month. |
| August | Direct-sow fall spinach, lettuce, turnips (mid-August). Transplant fall brassicas. | Transplant fall brassicas. Direct-sow carrots, beets, kale, turnips, spinach. | Continue fall planting. Transplant fall tomatoes (early August for a second crop). |
| September | Direct-sow garlic, winter radishes. Last call for fast-maturing greens. | Direct-sow garlic, spinach, arugula. Transplant strawberries. | Plant strawberries, garlic. Direct-sow lettuce, spinach, Asian greens. |
| October | Plant garlic, tulip and daffodil bulbs. Protect tender plants — frost by late month. | Plant spring bulbs, garlic. Extend season with row covers for greens. | Direct-sow cool-season crops: spinach, kale, lettuce, carrots under row cover. |
| November | Garden cleanup. Plant cover crops. Mulch perennial beds. | Plant pansies for winter color. Mulch beds after first hard freeze. | Direct-sow cool-season greens outdoors. Plant pansies, dianthus for color. |
| December | Rest season. Review seed catalogs. Order for next year. | Order seeds for next year. Check stored root vegetables and garlic. | Cool-season crops still growing. Start planning spring garden layout. |
Best Vegetables for Arkansas
UA Extension identifies the following vegetables as consistently high-performing across the state, based on the combination of heat tolerance, disease resistance, and productivity in Arkansas conditions [1].
| Vegetable | Best Varieties for AR | When to Plant (Central AR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Heatmaster, Celebrity, Better Boy | After April 1 transplant | Heat-set varieties essential; Brandywine fails when nights stay above 72°F |
| Pepper | Cajun Belle, Banana Supreme, Cayenne | After April 1 transplant | Arkansas heat suits peppers well; chili types outperform bell in hot zones |
| Squash (summer) | Yellow Crookneck, Zucchini Patio Star | After April 1 direct or transplant | Plant succession crops every 3 weeks; vine borers hit hard by July |
| Cucumber | Straight Eight, Marketmore 76, Calypso | After April 1 direct | Calypso resists angular leaf spot prevalent in wet Arkansas springs |
| Okra | Clemson Spineless, Cajun Delight | May direct sow when soil reaches 65°F | Thrives in Arkansas summer heat; do not transplant — sow directly in place |
| Sweet Potato | Beauregard, Centennial | May–June slips after soil warms | Beauregard is the UA Extension standard variety for Arkansas; grows 90–120 days |
| Cabbage | Premium Flat Dutch, Stonehead | Transplant Feb–March (spring) or Aug–Sep (fall) | Two seasons in most of state; heads split if left too long after maturity in heat |
| Broccoli | Marathon, Green Magic | Transplant Feb–March or Aug–Sep | Spring crop matures before heat; fall crop often better quality in most regions |
| Collards | Vates, Georgia Southern | Direct sow March–April or Aug | Among the most heat- and cold-tolerant greens in Arkansas; flavor improves after frost |
| Southern Peas | Iron and Clay, Mississippi Purple Hull | May–June direct sow | A Delta staple — tolerates summer heat and poor soils; fixes nitrogen |
Pairing crops together is one of the most reliable ways to reduce pest pressure and improve productivity without additional inputs. Our companion planting guide covers which Arkansas vegetable combinations work best — including the classic three-sisters planting (corn, beans, squash) that suits the Delta particularly well.
Best Flowers and Perennials for Arkansas
Arkansas’s humid subtropical climate and long summers favor heat-tolerant native and adapted perennials over cool-season European species. The following perform reliably across the state’s central and southern zones, with notes where north Arkansas gardeners need to adjust.
Native Perennials
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is native to Arkansas and blooms June through September without irrigation once established. The cultivar Magnus is the best selection for consistent large flowers and disease resistance. Space at 18 inches in full sun — crown rot develops in poorly drained sites and under dense shade.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida Goldsturm) naturalizes across all Arkansas zones and blooms July through October. Unlike the annual R. hirta, Goldsturm is a sterile perennial that redirects energy into flowers rather than seed, extending the bloom period substantially. It tolerates Arkansas clay soils and summer drought better than most perennials.
Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) grows natively in Arkansas meadows and open woods. It blooms August through September with vertical purple spikes that open top-to-bottom — opposite most flowering plants — and provides critical late-season nectar for migrating monarchs. Tolerates heavy clay but resents waterlogged conditions.
Heat-Tolerant Adapted Perennials
Daylily (Hemerocallis) is the most forgiving perennial in Arkansas conditions. Established clumps survive summer drought and winter cold in all zones. For continuous bloom, UA Extension recommends mixing early-, mid-, and late-season varieties. Reblooming cultivars like Stella de Oro and Happy Returns provide color from May through September with adequate water.
Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia) performs as a landscape anchor in zones 7a–8a, blooming July through September in colors from white through deep burgundy. In zone 6b (Fayetteville area), dieback to the crown is common in cold winters — plant it as a perennial shrub rather than a small tree in those locations. Varieties like Natchez and Dynamite were developed specifically for the southeastern U.S. climate and outperform others in Arkansas.
Salvia (Salvia greggii, S. leucantha) delivers reliable color from June through November. Autumn sage (S. greggii) is reliably perennial across most of Arkansas; Mexican sage (S. leucantha) overwinters in zones 7b–8a and should be treated as an annual in the mountains. Both are extremely drought-tolerant once established.
Lantana functions as a tender perennial in zones 7b–8a — dying back to the crown in winter and returning in May with vigor. In zone 7a and colder, treat it as an annual. The variety New Gold is the most heat-tolerant selection and persists through Arkansas’s July–August peak better than most lantana cultivars.
Best Fruit for Arkansas
Arkansas has a productive history with fruit crops. The state claims origin of the Arkansas Black apple, developed in Benton County in the 1870s. The Cooperative Extension Service research station at Clarksville (Johnson County) has been evaluating small fruit and tree fruit for Arkansas conditions since the 1950s, providing specific variety recommendations based on local performance trials [2].
Small Fruits
Strawberries are the most universally successful fruit in Arkansas home gardens. June-bearing varieties like Chandler and Camarosa produce heavy crops in May for the central region; everbearing types like Seascape extend the season into fall. Plant in September or October in raised beds with excellent drainage — crowns that stay wet through winter will not survive to spring.
Blackberries thrive in all Arkansas zones. The University of Arkansas has its own breeding program and developed the Ouachita and Natchez varieties specifically for the state — both are thornless, upright-growing, and produce from late May through June. Plant on well-drained slopes where the vigorous canes won’t crowd other plantings.
Muscadine Grapes are the native grape of the South and naturally adapted to Arkansas’s heat and fungal disease pressure. Self-fertile varieties like Noble and Supreme eliminate the need for a male pollinator vine. They require minimal spraying compared to bunch grapes and produce reliably from late August through September in zones 7a–8a.
Blueberries require acidic soil (pH 4.5–5.5), which limits them to the Ouachita and Ozark regions where naturally acidic soils are common. In the Delta or River Valley, acidifying raised beds with sulfur is necessary before planting. Rabbiteye varieties (Climax, Premier, Tifblue) outperform northern highbush in Arkansas heat [2].
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Peaches grow across Arkansas zones 6b–8a, but chill-hour requirements are critical. Most of Arkansas accumulates 700–1,000 chill hours (hours below 45°F) annually, but the number varies significantly by location. UA Extension recommends 700-chill-hour varieties for the south (Reliance, Contender) and 900-chill-hour types for north Arkansas (Redhaven, Bellaire) to avoid mismatch with local conditions [2].
Figs perform reliably in zones 7b–8a without winter protection. In zone 7a, Brown Turkey fig survives most winters but benefits from wrapping or mulching in hard-freeze years. The Celeste variety produces smaller, intensely sweet fruit and is considered the most cold-hardy fig for Arkansas conditions.
Regional Gardening Guidance
Ozark Mountains (Zones 6a–6b)
The Ozarks require an adjusted mindset: this is not the Deep South. Gardeners in Fayetteville and Mountain Home can grow many cool-climate perennials and crops that fail in Little Rock — hostas, astilbes, and even some true lilies establish well in the mountain zones. The trade-off is a significantly shorter growing season. The last average frost at Mountain Home (April 20) leaves only 185 days before the first fall frost — less than many northern states. This means heat crops like sweet potatoes and melons require earlier indoor starting and fast-maturing varieties.
Rocky soils in the Ozarks drain quickly but require annual organic matter additions to build nutrient retention. UA Extension recommends 3–4 inches of compost tilled to 8–10 inches depth before planting, reapplied each spring [1]. Blueberries excel here without the acidification needed in other regions.
River Valley (Zone 7a)
Fort Smith and the Arkansas River corridor represent the transitional zone — warmer than the mountains but still subject to late cold snaps in March and early April. The alluvial river soils are excellent for most vegetables and fruit, and the 222-day growing season supports two full tomato crops if you start a second round of transplants indoors in July for fall planting. Water management is the primary challenge — summer rains can be intense and sporadic, making drip irrigation a worthwhile investment over overhead watering.
Central Arkansas (Zone 7b)
Little Rock and the central zone represent the UA Extension’s baseline for most planting date research. The 238-day growing season allows ambitious succession planting. The primary challenge is spring unpredictability — the average last frost is March 20, but freezes after that date are not uncommon through mid-April. UA Extension recommends keeping frost cloth on hand until April 5 even after transplanting [1]. Summer heat stress is the other limiting factor: tomatoes often stop setting fruit when daytime temperatures consistently exceed 95°F in July–August, a normal occurrence in Little Rock.
Gulf Coastal Plain (Zone 8a)
The south Arkansas counties bordering Texas and Louisiana function almost identically to the adjacent regions in those states. The 257-day growing season at Texarkana rivals the Deep South’s longest seasons and permits three growing cycles annually — winter/spring cool-season crops, summer heat crops, and fall cool-season crops. Gardeners here can successfully overwinter fig trees, crape myrtles, and even some tender bulbs that require lifting in colder zones. The primary limitation is heavy clay in many locations, which requires persistent organic matter addition for vegetable beds.
Managing Arkansas Summer Heat
Every experienced Arkansas gardener has a strategy for getting through July and August. The single most effective technique is aggressive mulching: 3–4 inches of shredded bark, straw, or wood chips around vegetable plants reduces soil temperature by 10–15°F at root level, cuts irrigation frequency in half, and suppresses weeds through the peak growing season [1]. Apply mulch after the soil has warmed in late April — applying it too early in spring delays soil warm-up and slows cool-season crop growth.
Shade cloth (30–40%) over tomato and pepper cages during the hottest 6 weeks extends fruit set by keeping foliage temperature below the 95°F threshold at which photosynthesis slows. Drip irrigation with a timer set for early-morning watering is more effective than overhead irrigation in Arkansas’s summer conditions — it reduces foliar disease, conserves water during the hottest hours, and can be automated to run while you’re at work.
Succession planting is the other key strategy. Rather than planting all beans or cucumbers at once, plant one-third of your intended crop every three weeks from late April through early June. By the time the first planting exhausts itself in July’s heat, the second planting is hitting its stride — extending your harvest through the summer rather than having everything produce at once and decline together.
Common Arkansas Garden Problems
Tomato Diseases
Early blight, late blight, and southern bacterial wilt are the most destructive tomato diseases in Arkansas. Early blight (brown concentric-ring lesions on lower leaves) is nearly universal in the state’s humid summers. UA Extension’s recommended management combines resistant varieties (Celebrity is rated EB tolerant), 2-inch mulch to prevent soil splash, and copper-based fungicides applied preventively starting at first bloom rather than after symptoms appear [1].
Southern bacterial wilt — a soilborne disease that causes sudden whole-plant collapse — has no cure. Infected plants must be removed immediately and disposed of away from the garden. Avoid planting tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, or potatoes in the same bed for at least 3 years after an outbreak. Grafted tomatoes on resistant rootstock are available from seed companies and provide meaningful protection in historically infected beds.
Squash Vine Borers
Vine borers kill summer squash and zucchini plants in Arkansas, typically in late June through July. Gardeners who plant squash in early April often get a full crop before borer pressure peaks; those who wait until May lose plants more frequently. Row cover over transplants until flowering — then removed for pollination — delays borer egg-laying. Watch for small reddish-brown eggs laid singly at the base of squash stems in late June as the first sign of infestation [1].
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zone is Little Rock, Arkansas?
Little Rock is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b, with average minimum winter temperatures of 5 to 10°F. The average last spring frost is around March 20 and the first fall frost arrives around November 13, providing approximately 238 days of frost-free growing season.
When can I plant tomatoes in Arkansas?
In central Arkansas (Little Rock, zone 7b), transplant tomatoes outdoors after April 1 — but only if soil temperature at 4 inches has reached 60°F, which is the more reliable indicator than calendar date. In north Arkansas (Fayetteville, zone 6b), wait until after April 15. In south Arkansas (Texarkana, zone 8a), transplanting can begin as early as mid-March. UA Extension recommends heat-tolerant varieties like Heatmaster, Celebrity, and Better Boy for best results statewide [1].
What vegetables grow best in Arkansas?
The strongest performers statewide are tomatoes (with heat-tolerant varieties), okra, southern peas, sweet potatoes, collards, squash, peppers, and cucumbers. Arkansas’s long summers and high humidity favor these warm-season crops. Cool-season crops — broccoli, cabbage, kale, lettuce, and spinach — succeed in spring and fall but require timing to avoid summer heat.
Can I grow fruit trees in Arkansas?
Yes — Arkansas supports peaches, figs, apples, pears, plums, and pawpaws statewide, with variety selection matched to your zone’s chill-hour accumulation. Peaches and apples need enough cold hours to break dormancy properly. UA Extension fruit variety trials at Clarksville provide Arkansas-specific performance data for variety selection [2]. Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and muscadine grapes are the most reliable small fruits for home gardens.
How do I deal with Arkansas clay soil?
Arkansas clay soils — particularly in the Delta and Gulf Coastal Plain — require persistent organic matter addition rather than a one-time fix. UA Extension recommends adding 3–4 inches of compost or aged bark and tilling to 8–10 inches depth before each growing season. Raised beds provide the most reliable solution for heavy clay locations: a 10-inch raised bed filled with a mix of compost, native soil, and expanded slate (sold as soil conditioner) gives roots the drainage and aeration they need without fighting the underlying clay [1].
Sources
[1] Home Vegetable Garden Publications — University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, including FSA2144 Home Vegetable Gardening in Arkansas and related soil, pest, and disease management guides
[2] Home Fruit Production — University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, fruit variety trials and production guides for Arkansas conditions
