Frost dates for 71960Norman, AR
The average last spring frost in Norman is April 8 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 201 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 201 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 163 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 31 · Apr 19 · May 5 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Nov 1 | 180 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 8 · Apr 26 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 12 | 201 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 3 · Mar 26 · Apr 14 | Oct 20 · Nov 5 · Nov 25 | 225 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Norman
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 | Mar 8 – May 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jun 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 1 – May 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – May 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71960 is matched to the NOAA station Mt Ida 3 Se, AR, 12 km away, at 697 ft elevation (71 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt Ida 3 Se, AR (used) | 697 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 26 |
| Mount Ida Asos, AR | 702 ft | Apr 2 | Oct 31 |
| Big Fk 1 Sse, AR | 1,200 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 12 |
| Murfreesboro 1W, AR | 460 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Norman
- Caddo Gap, AR 71935 · last Mar 26, first Nov 12
- Mount Ida, AR 71957 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
- Glenwood, AR 71943 · last Apr 8, first Oct 26
- Oden, AR 71966 · last Apr 8, first Oct 26
- Sims, AR 71969 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
- Pencil Bluff, AR 71965 · last Apr 8, first Oct 26
- Langley, AR 71952 · last Apr 8, first Oct 26
- Kirby, AR 71950 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Norman, AR?
- For ZIP code 71960, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mt Ida 3 Se, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Norman, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71960?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 201 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.