When to Plant Grape Tomato in Portland, Arkansas (71663)

Location

Portland, Arkansas

ZIP Code

71663

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Sunday, March 15, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Based on last frost Sunday, March 15, 2026 · Zone 8b

Pro tip: Start Grape Tomato seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Sunday, March 29, 2026.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Solanum lycopersicum

Days to Maturity 65 days

Mature Height 36-60"

Spread 24"

Type Indeterminate

Fruit Size Mini (0.5 oz)

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Regular (1-2 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

24" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 5-10 days

Ready to Plant Grape Tomato in Portland?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Sunday, February 1, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

BasilCarrotParsleyMarigold

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

BrassicasFennelCorn

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Grape Tomato

See which plants help Grape Tomato thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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Common Grape Tomato Varieties

Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.

Juliet

hybrid 60d

Prolific, crack-resistant grape tomato with sweet flavor and long shelf life.

Red Grape

hybrid 70d

Classic red grape tomato with firm texture and concentrated sweetness.

Valentine

hybrid 55d

Heart-shaped grape tomatoes with exceptional sweetness; highly ornamental.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

⚠️ Many varieties are F1 hybrid — look for OP/heirloom types

When to Harvest Seed

Let fruit ripen fully before extracting seeds.

Processing

Ferment seeds 2–3 days in water, rinse thoroughly, dry flat for 1 week.

Seed Viability

Up to 4 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Most grape tomatoes are F1 hybrids. Save seed only from open-pollinated varieties for true results.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 8 plants of Grape Tomato. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Grape Tomato in Portland, Arkansas? +

In Portland (Zone 8b), start Grape Tomato seeds indoors around Sunday, February 1, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Sunday, March 29, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Portland, Arkansas? +

The average last spring frost date for Portland, Arkansas (ZIP 71663) is around Sunday, March 15, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 8b.

How long does Grape Tomato take to grow? +

Grape Tomato typically matures in about 65 days from transplanting. In Portland, that means you can expect harvest around Sunday, March 29, 2026 plus 65 days.

Should I start Grape Tomato indoors or direct sow in Arkansas? +

Grape Tomato should be started indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. In Portland, that means starting around Sunday, February 1, 2026.

📚 More Grape Tomato Planting Guides

🗺️

Grape Tomato in Arkansas

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 8b Grape Tomato Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Portland

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Grape Tomato in Zone 8b

Grape Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Portland, Arkansas, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, you should start seeds indoors around Sunday, February 1, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Sunday, March 15, 2026. Plan to transplant your Grape Tomato seedlings outdoors around Sunday, March 29, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.