Frost dates for 71968Royal, AR
The average last spring frost in Royal is April 3 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 3
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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 16 · Apr 30 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 193 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 14 · Apr 3 · Apr 20 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 21 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 18 · Apr 5 | Nov 1 · Nov 16 · Dec 4 | 243 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Royal
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 3 – May 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jun 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71968 is matched to the NOAA station Blakely Mtn Dam, AR, 10.6 km away, at 426 ft elevation (188 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blakely Mtn Dam, AR (used) | 426 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 4 |
| Hot Springs 1 Nne, AR | 626 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 13 |
| Mount Ida Asos, AR | 702 ft | Apr 2 | Oct 31 |
| Mt Ida 3 Se, AR | 697 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Royal
- Pearcy, AR 71964 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Mountain Pine, AR 71956 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Bonnerdale, AR 71933 · last Apr 8, first Oct 26
- Hot Springs National Park, AR 71902 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Bismarck, AR 71929 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
- Mount Ida, AR 71957 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
- Story, AR 71970 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
- Amity, AR 71921 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Royal, AR?
- For ZIP code 71968, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Blakely Mtn Dam, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 20.
- When is the first frost in Royal, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. 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 71968?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 216 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.