Arkansas planting calendar

When to plant kale in Arkansas — sow, transplant & harvest dates

Arkansas is mostly USDA zone 7b (range 6b-8a). Dates below are derived from kale's frost tolerance and Arkansas's frost window — not generic national averages.

Kale planting timetable for Arkansas

Stage	When in Arkansas	Anchor
Start seeds indoors	late February (February 22)	6 weeks before the last frost (early April)
Transplant outside	early March (March 8)	28 days before the last frost (early April)
First harvest (estimate)	early May (May 7)	~60 days from transplant

Dates are state-wide averages for the dominant zone. Local microclimates — elevation, urban heat, coastal moderation — can shift the window by 1-2 weeks. Use the frost-date calculator for a date tuned to your town.

Why Arkansas's climate shifts the kale dates

Arkansas's last spring frost averages early April and first fall frost late October, which sets the whole planting clock. Arkansas has a warm, humid, long season with mild winters. The Ozarks run a half zone cooler than the southern lowlands. Sow early — kale bolt once daytime temperatures hold above 24 °C, so the earlier they go in, the longer the harvest.

Kale is among the hardiest brassicas, surviving temperatures as low as −12 °C (10 °F) in protected conditions; frost sweetens the leaves by converting starches to sugars. Transplant or direct-sow 4–6 weeks before last spring frost; can also be direct-sown. For fall/winter harvest, direct-sow or transplant 6–8 weeks before first autumn frost. Avoid planting when temperatures consistently exceed 27 °C (80 °F) as heat reduces palatability and increases bitterness. Harvest outer leaves continuously to extend production; the plant does not form a head and can be harvested over many months.

Frost-risk note

Don't plant before early April — a hard freeze can still set young plants back. In the Ozark and Ouachita highlands (zone 6b) the safe date runs a week or two later.

Regional variation within Arkansas

the Ozark and Ouachita highlands (zone 6b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the southern and Delta lowlands near Little Rock (zone 8a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

Little Rock — USDA zone 8a
Fayetteville — USDA zone 7a
Fort Smith — USDA zone 7b
Jonesboro — USDA zone 7b

What else to plant in Arkansas around then

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Quick-grow guide

Sun: Full sun to part shade — 4–6+ hours direct.
Soil temperature for germination: 7–29 °C (45–85 °F).
Spacing: 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) between plants.
Days to harvest: ~60 days from planting out.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant kale in Arkansas?

In Arkansas (mostly USDA zone 7b), sow kale indoors around late February, transplant outdoors early March (before the last frost, early April), and harvest from early May. Kale are cold-hardy — they tolerate frost and actively prefer cool weather, so they go in well before the last spring frost and bolt in summer heat.

What USDA zone is Arkansas?

Most of Arkansas sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b, with the state spanning roughly 6b-8a from the Ozark and Ouachita highlands (zone 6b) to the southern and Delta lowlands near Little Rock (zone 8a). The last spring frost averages early April and the first fall frost late October.

Can you grow kale in Arkansas?

Yes. Arkansas's dominant zone 7b supports kale — the key is timing. Kale are cold-hardy — they tolerate frost and actively prefer cool weather, so they go in well before the last spring frost and bolt in summer heat.

Does the planting date change across Arkansas?

the Ozark and Ouachita highlands (zone 6b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the southern and Delta lowlands near Little Rock (zone 8a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else can I plant in Arkansas around the same time?

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Source and methodology

State zone spans from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023); frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online. Hot-state two-season timing cross-checked against the UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension planting calendar. Curated by the Growli editorial team.