When to plant basil in Arkansas
Arkansas’s average last spring frost is April 3, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 1 — about 212 frost-free days (USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Basil needs 30–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Arkansas's growing season.
When to plant basil in Arkansas: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 10 – Apr 27, with seeds started indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6. Wait until the soil is at least 65°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Arkansas: May 8 · May 29 · Jun 19 · Jul 10 · Jul 31 · Aug 21 · Sep 11
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow basil in Arkansas, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 20 – Mar 6). Sow seeds ⅛ inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 80°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 10 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Apr 10 – Apr 27). Space plants about 10 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: aphids, Japanese beetle, slugs. Diseases and disorders: basil downy mildew, fusarium wilt, damping off.
- Harvest (from about May 17 – Jun 16). Basil takes 30-60 days to reach harvest. Cold soil stalls it - wait for warm nights. Pinch above a leaf pair every couple of weeks and remove flower buds to keep leaves coming. Downy mildew-resistant varieties are worth seeking out.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Arkansas’s average frost dates. More in the full basil growing guide.
Basil planting dates by USDA zone in Arkansas
Arkansas spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the basil dates shift with them.
When to plant basil in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas (this page) | April 3 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 13 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Florida | February 12 | Feb 19 – Mar 8 |
Questions gardeners in Arkansas ask
When is the best time to plant basil in Arkansas?
Plant basil transplants outdoors in Arkansas between April 10 and April 27. That timing is set by Arkansas's average last spring frost of April 3.
When should I start basil seeds indoors in Arkansas?
Start seeds indoors between February 20 and March 6, about 5 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 10.
What is the latest I can plant basil in Arkansas?
About October 2. Basil needs at least 30 days to mature, and frost around November 1 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will basil planted in Arkansas be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, basil is usually ready from about May 17 to June 16, 30-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Arkansas?
On average around April 3, with the first fall frost around November 1 - about 212 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.