Frost dates for 72140Saint Charles, AR
The average last spring frost in Saint Charles is March 17 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 238 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 17
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 238 days
Safer after Apr 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 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 11 · Mar 31 · Apr 16 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 16 | 214 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 17 · Apr 5 | Oct 27 · Nov 10 · Dec 1 | 238 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 5 · Mar 25 | Nov 4 · Nov 23 · Dec 14 | 264 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Saint Charles
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 14 – Apr 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – May 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72140 is matched to the NOAA station Saint Charles, AR, 2.8 km away, at 200 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Charles, AR (used) | 200 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 10 |
| Stuttgart 9 Ese, AR | 198 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 17 |
| Clarendon, AR | 179 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 11 |
| Arkansas Post, AR | 194 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 18 |
Frost dates near Saint Charles
- Crocketts Bluff, AR 72038 · last Mar 11, first Nov 17
- Turner, AR 72383 · last Mar 17, first Nov 10
- Ethel, AR 72048 · last Mar 17, first Nov 10
- Lambrook, AR 72353 · last Mar 17, first Nov 10
- Casscoe, AR 72026 · last Mar 11, first Nov 17
- De Witt, AR 72042 · last Mar 17, first Nov 10
- Holly Grove, AR 72069 · last Mar 15, first Nov 11
- Wabash, AR 72389 · last Mar 17, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Saint Charles, AR?
- For ZIP code 72140, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Saint Charles, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 5.
- When is the first frost in Saint Charles, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72140?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 238 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.