Frost dates for 71665Rison, AR
The average last spring frost in Rison is March 17 and the average first fall frost is November 14, giving a typical growing season of about 241 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 17
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 14
- Growing season
- 241 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 19 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 12 · Apr 1 · Apr 19 | Oct 18 · Nov 2 · Nov 20 | 214 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 17 · Apr 6 | Oct 30 · Nov 14 · Dec 4 | 241 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 7 · Mar 2 · Mar 24 | Nov 8 · Nov 28 · Dec 22 | 272 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rison
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 14 – Apr 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – May 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 4 – Dec 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71665 is matched to the NOAA station Rison, AR, 7.7 km away, at 280 ft elevation (113 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rison, AR (used) | 280 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 14 |
| Fordyce, AR | 230 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 6 |
| Pine Bluff Grider Fld, AR | 207 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 13 |
| Cane Creek Sp, AR | 260 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 17 |
Frost dates near Rison
- Kingsland, AR 71652 · last Mar 26, first Nov 6
- New Edinburg, AR 71660 · last Mar 20, first Nov 11
- Star City, AR 71667 · last Mar 15, first Nov 17
- Pine Bluff, AR 71613 · last Mar 14, first Nov 16
- Grapevine, AR 72057 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Ivan, AR 71748 · last Mar 26, first Nov 6
- Fordyce, AR 71742 · last Mar 26, first Nov 6
- White Hall, AR 71602 · last Mar 14, first Nov 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rison, AR?
- For ZIP code 71665, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rison, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Rison, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71665?
- 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.