Frost dates for 71674Watson, AR
The average last spring frost in Watson is March 12 and the average first fall frost is November 14, giving a typical growing season of about 247 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 12
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 14
- Growing season
- 247 days
Safer after Mar 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 18 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 6 · Mar 26 · Apr 9 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 19 | 222 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 21 · Mar 12 · Mar 31 | Oct 29 · Nov 14 · Dec 3 | 247 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 2 · Feb 28 · Mar 18 | Nov 6 · Nov 28 · Dec 22 | 277 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Watson
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 9 – Apr 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – May 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Apr 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Jan 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 4 – Dec 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71674 is matched to the NOAA station Rohwer 2 Nne, AR, 8.9 km away, at 150 ft elevation (6 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohwer 2 Nne, AR (used) | 150 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 14 |
| Arkansas Post, AR | 194 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 18 |
| Dumas, AR | 163 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 14 |
| Dermott 3 Ne, AR | 145 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 10 |
Frost dates near Watson
- Rohwer, AR 71666 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Dumas, AR 71639 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Pickens, AR 71662 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Tichnor, AR 72166 · last Mar 10, first Nov 18
- Winchester, AR 71677 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
- Tillar, AR 71670 · last Mar 13, first Nov 10
- Rosedale, MS 38769 · last Mar 14, first Nov 15
- Gillett, AR 72055 · last Mar 10, first Nov 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Watson, AR?
- For ZIP code 71674, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rohwer 2 Nne, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 31.
- When is the first frost in Watson, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71674?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 247 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.