What to plant this week in Little Rock, AR
With the last frost officially behind us on March 13, Little Rock gardeners are ready to move into full summer production for Zone 8a. This week marks the prime window to sow heat-loving staples like okra and cowpeas directly in our clay-heavy soils while harvesting your early basil and bush beans.
The next 7 days
Little Rock, ARGrowing in Little Rock right now
- Our local red clay can get hard quickly after rain; break up crusted soil immediately around newly sown sunflowers and zucchini seeds to ensure proper germination.
- Because Little Rock gets hot fast, mulch your sweet corn and watermelon beds heavily now to retain moisture as afternoon thunderstorms become common.
- Transplanting is not necessary this week for most crops; simply sow beans, cucumbers, and melons directly into the warm ground after checking they are past the frost date.
- Keep an eye on drainage in low-lying areas of the city where winter squash and pumpkins might sit too long in standing water from sudden downpours.
Sow this week
30 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
41 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout the summer.
- Apply a light layer of mulch around warm-season vegetables to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool.
- Pinch back the tops of basil plants regularly to encourage bushier growth before harvesting leaves.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites often explode in Little Rock heat during April, targeting your newly sown zinnias and cosmos; spray with neem oil early if you see stippling on leaves.
- Aphids will quickly colonize the tender new growth of basil and shiso due to our mild nights; hand-pick clusters or blast them off with a strong water jet.
- Cutworms are active at night in our garden beds, chewing down the stems of young okra and pole bean seedlings before you even notice.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to keep moisture consistent but avoid wetting the foliage to prevent disease.
Harvest beans when pods are young and tender to maximize flavor and encourage further production from each plant.
Little Rock gardening questions
3Can I plant my transplants now if the forecast shows rain tomorrow?
No, wait for dry soil to avoid planting into wet mud which can cause rot in our heavy clay; this week is best reserved for direct sowing seeds like bush beans and cucumbers.
When should I expect my first harvest from the watermelon and cantaloupe?
Since these are warm-season crops started right after the March 13 frost date, you can expect fruit maturity in about 70 to 80 days depending on the specific variety chosen.
Are there any native plants I should be growing in my Little Rock garden this season?
Consider adding Cleome (Spider Flower) or Garden Verbena as they are in your current sow list and thrive well here without excessive maintenance.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Little Rock garden in SproutGuide →