Frost dates for 72066Hickory Plains, AR
The average last spring frost in Hickory Plains is March 11 and the average first fall frost is November 14, giving a typical growing season of about 247 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 11
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 14
- Growing season
- 247 days
Safer after Apr 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 20 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 7 · Mar 27 · Apr 15 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 224 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 11 · Apr 1 | Oct 31 · Nov 14 · Dec 2 | 247 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 9 · Mar 2 · Mar 19 | Nov 7 · Nov 26 · Dec 19 | 269 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hickory Plains
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 8 – Apr 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Jul 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – May 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Jul 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 4 – Dec 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72066 is matched to the NOAA station Des Arc, AR, 21.8 km away, at 200 ft elevation (49 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Arc, AR (used) | 200 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 14 |
| Cabot, AR | 300 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 31 |
| Searcy, AR | 230 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 8 |
| Keo, AR | 231 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Hickory Plains
- Ward, AR 72176 · last Apr 4, first Oct 31
- Mc Rae, AR 72102 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Griffithville, AR 72060 · last Mar 11, first Nov 14
- Garner, AR 72052 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Beebe, AR 72012 · last Apr 4, first Oct 31
- Des Arc, AR 72040 · last Mar 11, first Nov 14
- Carlisle, AR 72024 · last Mar 21, first Nov 9
- Austin, AR 72007 · last Apr 4, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hickory Plains, AR?
- For ZIP code 72066, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Des Arc, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 1.
- When is the first frost in Hickory Plains, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72066?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 247 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.