What to plant this week in Little Rock, AR
Little Rock gardeners are in the thick of late spring heat, with average lows dipping to 10°F only briefly before climbing high; this week marks the true start for warm-weather crops like Okra and Malabar Spinach since frost is statistically behind us until mid-March. With temperatures already warming up rapidly after the March 13 frost date, it is time to push transplants into the ground and sow heat-loving seeds directly into our clay-heavy soils.
The next 7 days
Little Rock, ARGrowing in Little Rock right now
- Our distinct reddish clay soil in Little Rock retains moisture well but drains slowly; amend planting holes with compost to prevent waterlogging for newly sown Bush Beans or Cucumbers.
- High afternoon sun is intense this time of year, so use 30% shade cloth for young Zinnias and Scarlet Runner Beans to avoid scorching before they establish deep roots.
- Monitor your Yellow Summer Squash and Zucchini closely for blossom-end rot; our alkaline local soil often lacks calcium availability, so spray a calcium foliar feed at the first sign of soft spots.
Sow this week
17 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Summer Savory
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
36 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest through summer.
- Apply a light layer of mulch around squash to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Pinch back the tips of basil plants regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are becoming active on Malabar Spinach and Bush Beans as humidity drops in our dry springs; spray early with insecticidal soap before populations explode.
- Watch for squash vine borers attacking Yellow Summer Squash stems, especially since adult moths lay eggs near the base of plants right now.
- Late-season Garlic harvests nearing completion require checks for onion maggots if you left bulbs in the ground past late April.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants in the early morning to reduce evaporation and fungal risks.
Harvest leafy greens like malabar spinach and nasturtiums young and tender for the best flavor.
Little Rock gardening questions
3Can I transplant my Tomato and Pepper seedlings this week in Little Rock?
Yes, because the average last frost date is March 13, soil temperatures are now consistently warm enough for sensitive transplants. However, harden them off gradually over a week since our nights can still dip near freezing if a cold front moves through.
What should I do about my growing Okra and Malabar Spinach facing bolting too early?
Since these are listed as sowing now crops, ensure you aren't planting them in the scorching midday sun without adequate moisture; consistent watering delays the bolt. If they have already flowered heavily, pinch off side shoots to encourage leaf production for Malabar Spinach.
Is it safe to harvest my Winter Squash and Cantaloupe now?
You can begin harvesting mature fruits if they show full color and a dull rind, but leave them on the vine until the first hard frost of late November. Harvested melons should be cured in a warm spot for two weeks before storage to extend their shelf life.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Little Rock garden in SproutGuide →