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When to Plant Broccoli in Stone 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.

Stone County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,490 feet, Stone County receives approximately 48.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season.

Stone County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Stone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 2

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 43 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Broccoli needs ~1,256 GDD — county provides 3,500 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” Stone County, AR

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Direct Sow March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 8
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jul 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Stone 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 Stone County, AR?

Stone County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stone County, AR?

Stone County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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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 Stone County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.