Frost dates for 72021Brinkley, AR
The average last spring frost in Brinkley is March 18 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 237 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 18
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 237 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 15 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 1 · Apr 16 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 212 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 18 · Apr 6 | Oct 28 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 237 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 16 · Mar 6 · Mar 25 | Nov 7 · Nov 25 · Dec 19 | 261 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Brinkley
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 15 – Apr 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Jan 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – May 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72021 is matched to the NOAA station Brinkley, AR, 2.5 km away, at 185 ft elevation (12 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brinkley, AR (used) | 185 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 11 |
| Clarendon, AR | 179 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 11 |
| Des Arc, AR | 200 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 14 |
| Marianna 2 S, AR | 234 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Brinkley
- Wheatley, AR 72392 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
- Goodwin, AR 72340 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
- Cotton Plant, AR 72036 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
- Monroe, AR 72108 · last Mar 15, first Nov 11
- Moro, AR 72368 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
- Biscoe, AR 72017 · last Mar 11, first Nov 14
- Hunter, AR 72074 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
- Clarendon, AR 72029 · last Mar 15, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Brinkley, AR?
- For ZIP code 72021, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Brinkley, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Brinkley, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. 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 72021?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 237 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.