Root Vegetable

When to Plant Potatoes in Arkansas

Incredibly satisfying to grow. There's nothing quite like digging up your own potatoes — it's like buried treasure.

The Short Answer

In Arkansas, soil conditions are an important factor for potatoes. Heavy clay in lowlands. Rocky soil in Ozarks. Raised beds recommended for drainage. Direct sow 2 weeks before your last frost date.

Arkansas Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Arkansas you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Arkansas 6b, 7a Apr 5 - Apr 20 Oct 10 - Oct 25
Central Arkansas 7a, 7b Mar 25 - Apr 10 Oct 20 - Nov 5
Southern Arkansas 7b, 8a Mar 15 - Apr 1 Nov 1 - Nov 15

Potatoes Planting Schedule for Arkansas

Northern Arkansas (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 20 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25

Direct Sow
2 wks before frost

Central Arkansas (Zones 7a, 7b)

Average last frost: Mar 25 - Apr 10 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 5

Direct Sow
2 wks before frost

Southern Arkansas (Zones 7b, 8a)

Average last frost: Mar 15 - Apr 1 · Average first frost: Nov 1 - Nov 15

Direct Sow
2 wks before frost

Growing Potatoes in Arkansas

Potatoes in Arkansas's Climate

Potatoes are a cool-season crop in warm climates — plant in late winter for late spring harvest before summer heat shuts tuber growth down. Once soil temperatures exceed 85°F consistently, tuber growth stops. Choose heat-tolerant varieties like Red LaSoda. Some southern growers plant a second crop in August for fall harvest.

Soil Considerations for Arkansas

Heavy clay in lowlands. Rocky soil in Ozarks. Raised beds recommended for drainage. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for potatoes since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

Arkansas Climate & Growing Season

Hot, humid summers. Moderate winters. Good growing conditions for most vegetables.

Growing season length varies across Arkansas: Northern Arkansas (6b, 7a) has a last frost around Apr 5 - Apr 20, while Southern Arkansas (7b, 8a) sees frost end around Mar 15 - Apr 1. This difference matters for potatoes — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Plant seed potatoes (not grocery store potatoes) 2-3 weeks before last frost. Hill soil around stems as they grow to increase yield.

Companion Planting

Plant potatoes alongside these companions for better growth:

Beans Corn Cabbage Marigolds

Keep potatoes away from:

Tomatoes Squash Sunflowers

The Bottom Line

Potatoes can be grown successfully across Arkansas, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Arkansas gardeners should plan around a Apr 5 - Apr 20 last frost, while those in Southern Arkansas can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Potatoes Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Arkansas Planting Calendar All plants for Arkansas Potatoes in Alabama Alabama planting dates Potatoes in Alaska Alaska planting dates Potatoes in Arizona Arizona planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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