Arkansas Gardening Guide (2026)

Humid subtropical; transition zone where both cool and warm grasses struggle at the boundary.

⏳ Garden countdownToday: Sep 25

USDA 2023 zones + NOAA 1991-2020 frost normals. Estimates — check your local forecast before planting.

USDA hardiness zone
6–8
Region
Midwest
Typical last spring frost
04/01
Typical first fall frost
11/01
Frost-free season
214 days
Lawn grass type
Cool / warm

Quick answer (Arkansas): Most of the state gardens in USDA zones 6–8 with about a 214-day frost-free window. Plan around the typical last frost of 04/01; start warm-season crops indoors ~6 weeks earlier. Source: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023) + state cooperative extension typical freeze dates.

Your Arkansas planting calendar

Pre-filled for Arkansas. Pick a crop to see indoor start, sow/transplant, and harvest dates you can print.

In Arkansas (typical zone 6–8), last frost ≈ Apr 1, first frost ≈ Nov 1 (214-day season), your Tomato plan:

Start seeds indoors
Feb 18
Sow / transplant outdoors
Apr 15
First harvest
Jun 24
Spacing / depth
24″ / 0.25″

Month-by-month (Arkansas, 2026)

MonthAction
Jan—
FebStart indoors
Mar—
AprSow · Transplant
May—
JunHarvest
Jul—
Aug—
Sep—
Oct—
Nov—
Dec—

Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost; transplant after soil warms. Zones 3–13 suitable. Dates are typical; confirm with your county extension and watch the 10-day forecast.

Lawns in Arkansas

Best grass types for your climate:

Kentucky BluegrassTall FescuePerennial RyegrassFine FescueBermudagrassZoysiagrassSt. AugustinegrassBuffalograss

Open the lawn care scheduler →

Common pests in Arkansas

The pests most reported in your region, with organic-first treatments:

Japanese BeetleFire AntSquash BugTomato Hornworm

Japanese Beetle

Targets
Roses, grapes, beans, basil, lawns
Signs
Metallic green-bronze beetles skeletonizing leaves; grubs in turf.
Organic / IPM first
Hand-pick into soapy water; milky spore and beneficial nematodes for grubs; neem.
Chemical option (follow label)
Carbaryl or imidacloprid (follow label); treat grubs in late summer.
Prevention
Row covers early season; avoid trapping lures that attract more.

What grows well in Arkansas

Crops suitable for zones 6–8:

CropTypeSpacingDays to harvest
TomatoWarm-season24″70
PepperWarm-season18″75
LettuceCool-season8″45
CarrotCool-season3″65
Green BeansWarm-season4″55
SpinachCool-season6″40
CucumberWarm-season12″55
ZucchiniWarm-season36″50
KaleCool-season12″55
BroccoliCool-season18″70

Figures are typical (30-year normals) from USDA and state extension services. Always confirm your local last/first freeze and product labels with your county extension before acting.

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