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When to Plant Fennel (herb) in Clark County, AR

Herb fennel is grown for its aromatic leaves, stalks, and seeds rather than a bulb. It has a strong anise flavor and its flowers attract beneficial insects.

Clark County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.

At an elevation of 1,350 feet, Clark County receives approximately 45.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Fennel (herb) during the growing season.

Clark County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
232 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
232 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 16

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Fennel (herb) needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 4,234 GDD Excellent fit

Fennel (herb) Planting Timeline โ€” Clark County, AR

Fennel (herb) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 29
Fall Sowing August 31 Aug 31 โ€“ Sep 14
Harvest May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jul 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

232 days

Growing Tips for Clark County

Direct sow in spring or fall. Unlike Florence fennel, herb fennel does not form a bulb. Harvest fronds as needed and seeds when they turn brown. Self-sows readily.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Green Beans

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Fennel (herb) in Clark County, AR?

Clark County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Fennel (herb) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, AR?

Clark County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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