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When to plant Tomatoes in Lafayette County, AR

For Lafayette County, gardeners: plant Tomatoes March 28 through April 18 once soil reads 50°F.

When to Plant Tomatoes in Lafayette County, AR

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the most popular home garden crop, available in thousands of varieties from tiny cherries to massive beefsteaks. They are warm-season plants needing full sun.

Lafayette County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 819 feet, Lafayette County receives approximately 54.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Tomatoes during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tomatoes root diseases.

Lafayette County, AR (Zone 8b) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Lafayette County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Tomatoes to Grow

10-15 lbs
Average yield per plant
3
Plants per person
6 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 12 tomatoes plants in about 24 sq ft. In Lafayette County's 236-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Tomatoes Planting Timeline — Lafayette County, AR

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 31 Jan 31 – Feb 14
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 18
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 – Aug 15

Plant 0.5" deep · 24" apart · Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

236 days in Lafayette County

Growing Tips for Lafayette County

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Bury transplants deep to encourage rooting along the stem. Provide consistent moisture to prevent blossom end rot and cracking.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Fennel
  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Tomatoes Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Scoop seeds from ripe fruit; ferment 2-3 days to remove gel coating.
Storage Store airtight; viable 4-6 years at 35°F, under 45% humidity.

Isolate 25 ft between varieties for purity. Use open-pollinated varieties for true-to-type seeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tomatoes in Lafayette County, AR?

Lafayette County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lafayette County, AR?

Lafayette County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 12.

When should I plant Tomatoes in Lafayette County, AR?

In Lafayette County, AR, plant Tomatoes after the last frost (around March 21) and before the first frost (around November 12). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lafayette County, AR for Tomatoes?

Lafayette County sits in USDA Zone 8b. Tomatoes grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Tomatoes grow in Lafayette County's climate?

Yes — Tomatoes grows well in Lafayette County's temperate climate. Lafayette County averages a 236-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 21 and first frost around November 12.

🌱

Your Lafayette County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lafayette County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

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