Frost dates for 71862Washington, AR
The average last spring frost in Washington is March 26 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 226 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 226 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 10 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 21 · Apr 7 · Apr 24 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 12 | 203 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 26 · Apr 13 | Oct 23 · Nov 6 · Nov 26 | 226 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 11 · Mar 31 | Nov 1 · Nov 17 · Dec 6 | 254 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Washington
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 23 – May 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – May 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71862 is matched to the NOAA station Hope 3 Ne, AR, 11.9 km away, at 375 ft elevation (9 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hope 3 Ne, AR (used) | 375 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 6 |
| Nashville, AR | 400 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 9 |
| Prescott 2 Nnw, AR | 308 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 6 |
| Murfreesboro 1W, AR | 460 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Washington
- Hope, AR 71801 · last Mar 26, first Nov 6
- Columbus, AR 71831 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
- Blevins, AR 71825 · last Mar 26, first Nov 6
- Fulton, AR 71838 · last Mar 26, first Nov 6
- Saratoga, AR 71859 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
- Ozan, AR 71855 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
- Mc Caskill, AR 71847 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
- Emmet, AR 71835 · last Mar 29, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Washington, AR?
- For ZIP code 71862, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hope 3 Ne, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Washington, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71862?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 226 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.