Frost dates for 71754Magnolia, AR
The average last spring frost in Magnolia is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 218 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 218 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 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 25 · Apr 10 · Apr 26 | Oct 13 · Oct 25 · Nov 8 | 196 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 31 · Apr 17 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 20 | 218 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 14 · Apr 4 | Oct 29 · Nov 13 · Dec 3 | 244 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Magnolia
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 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71754 is matched to the NOAA station Magnolia, AR, 4.8 km away, at 372 ft elevation (106 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnolia, AR (used) | 372 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 2 |
| Lewisville, AR | 340 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 12 |
| El Dorado S Ar Rgnl Ap, AR | 252 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 7 |
| Homer 1N, LA | 215 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Magnolia
- Magnolia, AR 71753 · last Mar 31, first Nov 2
- Mc Neil, AR 71752 · last Mar 31, first Nov 2
- Waldo, AR 71770 · last Mar 31, first Nov 2
- Emerson, AR 71740 · last Mar 31, first Nov 2
- Buckner, AR 71827 · last Mar 19, first Nov 12
- Taylor, AR 71861 · last Mar 19, first Nov 12
- Mount Holly, AR 71758 · last Mar 24, first Nov 7
- Stamps, AR 71860 · last Mar 19, first Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Magnolia, AR?
- For ZIP code 71754, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Magnolia, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Magnolia, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71754?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 218 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.