How to Plant Cotton in Arkansas

Take soil samples in late fall or early winter from various parts of the planting area and combine them until you have 1 pint. Deliver the soil samples to your local cooperative extension office. The agent there will package the sample and ship it to the University of Arkansas Soil Testing Laboratory for analysis. There is no charge for this service for Arkansas residents.

Kill or remove weeds from the planting area. Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to kill pigweed seeds--a common weed in Arkansas gardens--two weeks before planting. Follow the application instructions on the herbicide package and wear protective clothing during the application.

Till the planting area, crushing large clods of soil and loosening the soil to a depth of 10 inches.

Add soil amendments recommended by the results of the soil test and mix them to a depth of 8 inches. Rake the bed until it is smooth and level.

Water the planting bed until it is moistened to a depth of 6 inches. Walk over the bed to firm the soil.

Dig a 1-inch-deep furrow. Place four seeds every 1 foot along the floor of the furrow. Cover the seeds with soil. Do not water after planting. The cotton seeds should germinate within two weeks in all areas of Arkansas.