Frost dates for 71661Parkdale, AR
The average last spring frost in Parkdale is March 14 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 241 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 14
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 241 days
Safer after Apr 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 28 · Apr 14 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 18 | 218 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 14 · Apr 1 | Oct 28 · Nov 10 · Dec 1 | 241 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 9 · Mar 2 · Mar 22 | Nov 4 · Nov 25 · Dec 16 | 264 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Parkdale
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Apr 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Jul 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Mar 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – May 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Jul 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Apr 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Jan 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71661 is matched to the NOAA station Portland, AR, 14.8 km away, at 128 ft elevation (13 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, AR (used) | 128 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 10 |
| Eudora, AR | 135 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 14 |
| Crossett 2 Sse, AR | 180 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 11 |
| Lake Providence, LA | 100 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 24 |
Frost dates near Parkdale
- Wilmot, AR 71676 · last Mar 14, first Nov 10
- Portland, AR 71663 · last Mar 14, first Nov 10
- Jones, LA 71250 · last Mar 14, first Nov 10
- Montrose, AR 71658 · last Mar 14, first Nov 10
- Eudora, AR 71640 · last Mar 13, first Nov 14
- Kilbourne, LA 71253 · last Mar 13, first Nov 14
- Hamburg, AR 71646 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
- Bonita, LA 71223 · last Mar 15, first Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Parkdale, AR?
- For ZIP code 71661, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Portland, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 1.
- When is the first frost in Parkdale, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71661?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 241 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.