Now
37°C · Clear
Today
38° / 22°
Soil 6 cm
29°C
First frost
~68 days (Nov 15)
Gardening in Little Rock
AI field guide · refreshed weeklyLittle Rock Gardening: September 8–14, 2026
Zone 8a with 68 days until first frost (Nov 15). Soil at 29°C (84°F) is still warm enough for cool-season seed germination. Overnight lows will dip into the low 20s°C (low 70s°F) by mid-week, signaling the transition window. Spring frost averaged Mar 22, giving you a solid 238 frost-free days annually.
Sow outdoors now
Lettuce & Salad Greens
Direct sow 'Buttercrunch', 'Oakleaf', or 'Lollo Rosso' now for 50–60 day harvest before hard frost. Soil temp at 29°C is ideal; germination will slow as temps drop next week.
Spinach
Sow 'Space' or 'Bloomsdale Long Standing' directly; germinates well in warm soil and thrives as temps cool. Thin to 10 cm (4 in) spacing.
Radish
Quick-maturing varieties like 'Cherry Belle' (25 days) or 'French Breakfast' fit easily before frost. Sow in succession every 10 days through late September.
Arugula
Sow 'Roquette' or 'Astro' for peppery greens in 30–40 days. Tolerates light frost and improves in flavor after a chill.
Kale
Direct sow 'Lacinato' or 'Winterbor' now; slow to germinate in warm soil but establishes before frost and sweetens after cold snaps.
Start indoors now
Cabbage & Broccoli
Start 'Stonehead' cabbage or 'Arcadia' broccoli indoors now for transplant in 4–5 weeks; they'll mature in late October and November.
Cauliflower
Sow 'Snowball Y' or 'Romanesco' indoors; needs 12–14 weeks to head, so early starts are critical for zone 8a fall harvest.
Onion Sets & Garlic
Plant garlic cloves directly outdoors this week (not indoors), 5 cm (2 in) deep, 15 cm (6 in) apart; they'll establish roots before winter dormancy.
Harvest now
Tomatoes & Peppers
Pick ripe fruit before the week's rain and cooler nights slow ripening. Green tomatoes can be ripened indoors or used for fried green tomatoes.
Summer Squash & Zucchini
Harvest every 2–3 days while tender; plants are winding down but will produce until first frost in November.
Beans
Snap and pole beans are still productive; pick regularly to encourage more blooms before the season ends.
Herbs (Basil, Cilantro)
Basil is frost-sensitive; harvest heavily or bring potted plants indoors. Cilantro will bolt in heat but thrives as temps drop next week.
Tasks this week
- Deadhead spent flowers and remove diseased foliage to redirect energy to fruit and seed production.
- Water deeply after the rain mid-week (16 mm on Sept 11); soil will stay moist longer as evaporation slows.
- Scout for late-season pests (spider mites, whiteflies, Japanese beetles) and treat with neem oil if needed.
- Mulch newly planted cool-season crops with 5 cm (2 in) of compost to buffer soil-temperature swings.
- Plant garlic cloves and set out transplants of cabbage and broccoli by week's end to maximize establishment time.
Watch out for
- Sudden temperature swings: highs near 38°C (100°F) early week, then lows in the low 20s°C by mid-week. Shade cloth and consistent watering prevent stress.
- Fungal diseases thrive in humidity and rain; ensure good air circulation and avoid wetting foliage, especially after the Sept 11 rain.
- Waning crescent moon (10% lit) is traditionally a poor time for transplanting; wait until after the new moon on Sept 11 if you're moon-gardening.
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