When to Plant Tomatoes in Arkansas
In Arkansas, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Mar 20 – Apr 3 in Texarkana to Apr 22 – May 6 in Farmington. In Little Rock, it's Mar 28 – Apr 11. The average last spring frost differs by about 5 weeks across the state (Mar 13 in Texarkana, Apr 15 in Farmington), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in Arkansas by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkadelphia | 8a | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Batesville | 7b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Bella Vista | 7a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Benton | 8a | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Bentonville | 7a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Blytheville | 8a | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Bryant | 8a | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Cabot | 8a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Camden | 8a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Centerton | 7a | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Conway | 8a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| El Dorado | 8b | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Farmington | 7a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Fayetteville | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Forrest City | 8a | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Fort Smith | 8a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Harrison | 7b | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Hot Springs | 8a | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Jacksonville | 8a | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Jonesboro | 7b | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Little Rock | 8a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Lowell | 7a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Magnolia | 8b | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Malvern | 8a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Marion | 8a | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Maumelle | 8a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Mountain Home | 7a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| North Little Rock | 8a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Paragould | 7b | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Pea Ridge | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Pine Bluff | 8a | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Rogers | 7a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Russellville | 8a | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Searcy | 8a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Sherwood | 8a | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Siloam Springs | 7a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Springdale | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Texarkana | 8b | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Van Buren | 8a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| West Memphis | 8a | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Arkansas, or the general guide to when to plant tomatoes.
Getting beds ready? Work out how much raised bed soil, compost or mulch you need with our sister site, Yard Coverage.