Frost dates for 71762Smackover, AR
The average last spring frost in Smackover is March 24 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 230 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 24
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 230 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 24 (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 18 · Apr 5 · Apr 22 | Oct 15 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 206 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 24 · Apr 9 | Oct 24 · Nov 7 · Nov 26 | 230 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 9 · Mar 27 | Nov 2 · Nov 20 · Dec 9 | 257 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Smackover
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 21 – Apr 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – May 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Mar 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71762 is matched to the NOAA station El Dorado S Ar Rgnl Ap, AR, 14.7 km away, at 252 ft elevation (91 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Dorado S Ar Rgnl Ap, AR (used) | 252 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 7 |
| Calion L&D, AR | 77 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 7 |
| Camden 1, AR | 116 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 6 |
| Magnolia, AR | 372 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 2 |
Frost dates near Smackover
- Norphlet, AR 71759 · last Mar 24, first Nov 7
- Louann, AR 71751 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- El Dorado, AR 71731 · last Mar 24, first Nov 7
- Calion, AR 71724 · last Mar 18, first Nov 7
- Mount Holly, AR 71758 · last Mar 24, first Nov 7
- Stephens, AR 71764 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- Lawson, AR 71750 · last Mar 18, first Nov 7
- Camden, AR 71711 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Smackover, AR?
- For ZIP code 71762, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the El Dorado S Ar Rgnl Ap, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Smackover, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71762?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 230 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.