When to plant sweet marjoram in Little Rock, Arkansas

March 21 – April 4

Transplant outdoors · typical Little Rock year

Climate basis: NOAA station Little Rock AP Adams Fld, AR (USW00013963), 3 mi (4 km) from downtown Little Rock (ZCTA 72201 centroid), elevation 258 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant sweet marjoram outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (March 21). One year in ten still freezes after April 6.

Last spring freezeMarch 211-in-10 after Apr 6

First fall freezeNovember 101-in-10 before Oct 29

Frost-free season≈ 234 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Mar 8 – Nov 21kills even hardy greens

USDA zone8a10 to 15°F winter low — not frost timing

The Little Rock year

Start seeds indoorsJan 24 – Feb 7

Transplant outdoorsMar 21 – Apr 4

Direct-sow outdoorsMar 7 – Mar 21

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 6

Sweet Marjoram in Little Rock · freeze context from Little Rock AP Adams Fld, AR, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Jan 24 – Feb 7

NC State's Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox starts marjoram seed indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost date, and Clemson HGIC gives the identical 6-to-8-week lead, so the two sources agree. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 21). NC State Extension, North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox · Clemson University Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center

Transplant outdoors

Mar 21 – Apr 4

Clemson HGIC sets marjoram transplants out after the last killing frost and UMD Extension names marjoram among herbs planted outside after the danger of frost has passed; both agree, so the window opens at the last spring freeze. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 21). Clemson University Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center

Direct-sow outdoors

Mar 7 – Mar 21

NC State's Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox gives a point rule — sow seed directly outdoors about two weeks before the last spring frost date — which opens a two-week sowing span ending at the last freeze; note the transplant window for this tender herb is later. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 21). NC State Extension, North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Variety assumption: Grown as an annual across most of the US; NC State's plant toolbox treats it as a tender perennial that is replaced each year in cold climates.

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (2)

NC State Extension, North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Origanum majorana (Knotted Marjoram, Marjoram, Pot Marjoram, Sweet Marjoram) (accessed 2026-07-25)
"To plant from seed, start seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last spring frost date."
Clemson University Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center: Herbs (accessed 2026-07-25)
"Start seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before planting or set transplants out after the last killing frost."

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