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When to plant Mint in Ashdown, AR

Plant Mint in Ashdown during the brief March 27–April 10 window. With 237 frost-free days, fall plantings can't mature before November 12.

When to Plant Mint in Ashdown, AR

Mint
Little River County, Arkansas Zone 8b June

June in the garden — Little River County, Arkansas

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Little River County, Arkansas this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 20
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Collect mint at their peak

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: mint

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

Ashdown, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 237 days.

At an elevation of 1,477 feet, Little River County receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Mint during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Mint root diseases.

Ashdown, AR (Zone 8b) Long season
237 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
237 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Ashdown Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Mint Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 27

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 Ashdown

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.6) overlaps with Mint's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Little River County is excellent for Mint — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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 237-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 14 to harvest before frost.

Mint Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Mint

Mint needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Mint Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Little River County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Mint Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Mint needs ~1,256 GDD — county provides 3,969 GDD Excellent fit

Mint Planting Timeline — Ashdown, AR

Mint Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10
Harvest May 29 May 29 – Aug 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

237 days in Little River County

Growing Tips for Mint in Ashdown

Direct sow Mint outdoors after March 20 in Little River 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Mint in Ashdown, AR?

In Ashdown, AR, plant Mint after the last frost (around March 20) and before the first frost (around November 12). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Ashdown, AR for Mint?

Ashdown sits in USDA Zone 8b. Mint grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Mint grow in Ashdown's climate?

Yes — Mint grows well in Ashdown's temperate climate. Ashdown averages a 237-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 20 and first frost around November 12.

🌱

Your Little River County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Little River 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.

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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 Little River County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.