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When to Plant Broccoli in Prairie County, AR

Broccoli is a nutrient-dense cool-season crop that produces large central heads followed by smaller side shoots. It is one of the most popular garden vegetables.

Prairie County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 234 days.

At an elevation of 1,026 feet, Prairie County receives approximately 51.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Broccoli root diseases.

Prairie County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
234 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
234 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Prairie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jun 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 22

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 172 gal / 100 sq ft
Broccoli needs ~1,256 GDD — county provides 3,919 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” Prairie County, AR

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 26
Fall Sowing August 30 Aug 30 โ€“ Sep 13
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jul 2

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

234 days

Growing Tips for Prairie County

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Provide consistent moisture to prevent hollow stems. Harvest heads before yellow flowers appear.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Broccoli Seeds
Life Cycle Biennial
Pollination Cross-Pollinated (insects)
How to Collect Allow plants to flower 2nd year; collect dry pods.
Storage Store airtight; viable 5 years at 35ยฐF, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 1/2 mile from other brassicas. Biennial โ€” must overwinter roots.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Broccoli in Prairie County, AR?

Prairie County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Prairie County, AR?

Prairie County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Prairie County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Prairie County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.