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When to Plant Mint in Franklin County, AR

Mint is a vigorous perennial herb with refreshing, aromatic leaves used in teas, cocktails, and cooking. It spreads aggressively by underground runners.

Franklin County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 1,224 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 47.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mint during the growing season.

Franklin County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Sep 1

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.

Soil Compatibility in Franklin County

How your county's soil matches Mint's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“6.6) is more acidic than Mint prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Franklin County is excellent for Mint โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Mint.

How to Plant Mint

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Mint

4
successive plantings in your 217-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Mint needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 3,797 GDD Excellent fit

Mint Planting Timeline โ€” Franklin County, AR

Mint Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Aug 16

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.7"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

217 days in Franklin County

Growing Tips for Mint in Franklin County

Direct sow Mint outdoors after March 29 in Franklin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Always grow mint in containers or with underground barriers to control spreading. Harvest regularly to keep plants compact. Cut plants back in late summer for a fresh fall flush.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Parsley

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mint in Franklin County, AR?

Franklin County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Mint planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, AR?

Franklin County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Franklin County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Franklin County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.