Frost dates for 71901Hot Springs National Park, AR
The average last spring frost in Hot Springs National Park is March 19 and the average first fall frost is November 13, giving a typical growing season of about 239 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 19
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 13
- Growing season
- 239 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 17 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 14 · Apr 2 · Apr 19 | Oct 19 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 215 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 19 · Apr 7 | Oct 28 · Nov 13 · Dec 3 | 239 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 13 · Mar 6 · Mar 26 | Nov 7 · Nov 27 · Dec 18 | 266 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hot Springs National Park
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 16 – Apr 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – May 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Mar 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 3 – Dec 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71901 is matched to the NOAA station Hot Springs 1 Nne, AR, 8.4 km away, at 626 ft elevation (73 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs 1 Nne, AR (used) | 626 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 13 |
| Malvern, AR | 300 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 5 |
| Blakely Mtn Dam, AR | 426 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 4 |
| Hot Springs Asos, AR | 535 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Hot Springs National Park
- Hot Springs National Park, AR 71914 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Jones Mill, AR 72105 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
- Lonsdale, AR 72087 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Hot Springs Village, AR 71909 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Mountain Pine, AR 71956 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Jessieville, AR 71949 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
- Malvern, AR 72104 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
- Pearcy, AR 71964 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hot Springs National Park, AR?
- For ZIP code 71901, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hot Springs 1 Nne, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Hot Springs National Park, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71901?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 239 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.