Arkansas · zones 6b–8a
When to plant basil in Arkansas.
Sow or transplant between Apr 15 to Jul 1 in a typical year, keyed to Arkansas's median last frost around Mar 25. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Basil dates for a typical Arkansas season.
1 · Start indoors
Mar 4 to May 20
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Apr 15 to Jul 1
Keyed to the ~Mar 25 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 8" apart.
Harvest
~40 days later
~0.5 lb per plant over ~12 weeks.
Arkansas spans more than one climate: Zone 8 is the most common zone, but the state runs 6b to 8a. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.