Frost dates for 72153Shirley, AR
The average last spring frost in Shirley is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 222 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 222 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 11 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 28 · Apr 11 · Apr 28 | Oct 16 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 200 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 31 · Apr 16 | Oct 26 · Nov 6 · Nov 24 | 222 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 16 · Apr 2 | Nov 3 · Nov 19 · Dec 6 | 247 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shirley
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 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72153 is matched to the NOAA station Greers Ferry Dam, AR, 31.9 km away, at 527 ft elevation (2 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greers Ferry Dam, AR (used) | 527 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 6 |
| Mtn View, AR | 716 ft | Apr 2 | Oct 31 |
| Dennard 10 Wsw, AR | 1,740 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 2 |
| Marshall, AR | 951 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Shirley
- Fairfield Bay, AR 72088 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
- Fox, AR 72051 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
- Edgemont, AR 72044 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Clinton, AR 72031 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Higden, AR 72067 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Prim, AR 72130 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
- Bee Branch, AR 72013 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Choctaw, AR 72028 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shirley, AR?
- For ZIP code 72153, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Greers Ferry Dam, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 16.
- When is the first frost in Shirley, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72153?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 222 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.