The tenacious , red-hot summertime originate time of year ends across Arkansas from mid - October to mid - November , when the first kill downfall frosts start . While sensitive plants knuckle under to frost , planting of cool - season vegetable and one-year flower crops continues until December , and the cooler soil temperature permit abeyant woody and herbaceous plants to produce their roots before the flat coat freeze . Arkansas is located in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 6 , 7 and 8 .

Time Frame

Many dormant trees , shrubs , perennial , cool - season yearly and vegetables are good to plant in the autumn , note Janet Carson of the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service . Southern veggie favorites like kale , turnip , kale , spinach plant , broccoli and cauliflower are first sow from source in August and then transplanted in September when daytime temperature do not get above 80 degrees Fahrenheit . October is time for dividing spring - blooming perennials and replanting them as well as planting annuals like fagot and kale to overwinter . November is exceptional for bulb - planting as well as build dormant woody shrubs and Tree according to Carson .

Benefits

wet and soil temperature above 40 grade Fahrenheit boost root growth . Rather than plants divert vigour and water into maintaining flush and foliage , fall planting encourages root word establishment before the coldest temperatures in winter . little days discourage the growth of weeds so plant are not competing for the same soil resources . Watering done in autumn continue the ground moist for a longer period as the plant are not stressed by vivid sunlight , high temperature and only the base are actively produce .

Planting Preparation

Till garden soil in fall prior to planting of vegetable , annual flowers , newly sow lawn , or cover crops . summate compost to soil to improve its grain , birth rate and drain for fall - planted plant . Planting of woody shrub and industrial plant continues statewide as long as the soil is not frozen and feasible if not too wet accord to Carson . With the exception of for cool - season lawns and annual flowerbed , there is no intellect to add plant food to territory in autumn at planting .

Considerations

strike planting activities across Arkansas depart based on latitude or elevation . The first killing free fall rime is an authoritative scheduling date as it determines when protective sheets or frost cloth is needed to protect cool - season vegetable as well as when above - ground emergence stop for perennial , shrubs and trees . The earlier the expected date of hoarfrost , the earlier surrender - planting bodily function start . Gardeners in the Ozark and Ouachita highlands commence embed earlier and experience an earlier freeze in mid - October than the warmer orbit closest the Louisiana border and the Mississippi River , which receive a first freeze in November . Consult the University of Arkansas ' " Year - Round Home Garden Planting Guide " ( see resourcefulness ) for a statewide map of crepuscule freeze dates .

Misconceptions

After planting , Arkansans must continue to supervise soil moisture around plant in the fall as long as the land is not frozen . Warm , gay drop day and lack of natural pelting while the roots are growing campaign accent if the soil becomes too dry . Provide 1 to 2 inches of irrigation to settle balls of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and bush weekly to maintain a moist soil . Colder weather later in winter coupled with dry roots chair to plant price such as twig death and thin out vigour once spring arrives . Carson mentions using a bed of constitutional mulch helps conserve moisture over roots as well as dissuades locoweed .

References

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