FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in Arkansas

In a typical Arkansas location, start seeds indoors Feb 11 – Feb 18, then transplant outdoors Apr 1 – Apr 8. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 20 in Texarkana and as late as Apr 19 in Centerton.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 50–70 days

Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.

Basil Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
Little RockFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
Fort SmithFeb 11 – Feb 18Apr 1 – Apr 8
FayettevilleFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
SpringdaleFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
JonesboroFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
North Little RockFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 28 – Apr 4
ConwayFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 9 – Apr 16
RogersMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 19 – Apr 26
Pine BluffJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 21 – Mar 28
BentonvilleMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 19 – Apr 26
Hot SpringsFeb 5 – Feb 12Mar 26 – Apr 2
BentonFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
SherwoodFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
TexarkanaJan 30 – Feb 6Mar 20 – Mar 27
RussellvilleFeb 15 – Feb 22Apr 5 – Apr 12
JacksonvilleFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 23 – Mar 30
Bella VistaFeb 22 – Mar 1Apr 12 – Apr 19
ParagouldFeb 12 – Feb 19Apr 2 – Apr 9
CabotFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
West MemphisFeb 5 – Feb 12Mar 26 – Apr 2
SearcyFeb 13 – Feb 20Apr 3 – Apr 10
Van BurenFeb 11 – Feb 18Apr 1 – Apr 8
BryantFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
El DoradoFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 31 – Apr 7
MaumelleFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 8 – Apr 15
Siloam SpringsFeb 17 – Feb 24Apr 7 – Apr 14
BlythevilleFeb 4 – Feb 11Mar 25 – Apr 1
Forrest CityFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
HarrisonFeb 8 – Feb 15Mar 29 – Apr 5
Hot Springs VillageFeb 5 – Feb 12Mar 26 – Apr 2

Showing the 30 most populous of 43 Arkansas cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Arkansas cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in Arkansas?

In a typical Arkansas location, start seeds indoors Feb 11 – Feb 18, then transplant outdoors Apr 1 – Apr 8. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 20 in Texarkana and as late as Apr 19 in Centerton.

When is the last frost in Arkansas?

The average last spring frost in Arkansas ranges from March 13 in Texarkana to April 12 in Centerton, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do basil take to grow?

Basil typically take 50–70 days from planting to harvest. Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.

Other Crops in Arkansas

When to plant basil in other states

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