Frost dates for 72028Choctaw, AR
The average last spring frost in Choctaw is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 197 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 197 days
Safer after Apr 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 0 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) | Apr 8 · Apr 24 · May 8 | Oct 1 · Oct 16 · Oct 30 | 175 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 11 · Apr 27 | Oct 10 · Oct 26 · Nov 11 | 197 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 30 · Apr 16 | Oct 21 · Nov 6 · Nov 27 | 222 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Choctaw
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 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72028 is matched to the NOAA station Marshall, AR, 38.5 km away, at 951 ft elevation (73 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall, AR (used) | 951 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
| Dennard 10 Wsw, AR | 1,740 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 2 |
| Greenbrier, AR | 338 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 25 |
| Gilbert, AR | 606 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Choctaw
- Clinton, AR 72031 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Scotland, AR 72141 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Dennard, AR 72629 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Bee Branch, AR 72013 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Center Ridge, AR 72027 · last Mar 30, first Nov 2
- Shirley, AR 72153 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Cleveland, AR 72030 · last Mar 30, first Nov 2
- Fairfield Bay, AR 72088 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Choctaw, AR?
- For ZIP code 72028, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marshall, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 27.
- When is the first frost in Choctaw, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72028?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 197 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.