Frost dates for 72157Springfield, AR
The average last spring frost in Springfield is April 2 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 215 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 2
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 215 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (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) | Mar 28 · Apr 13 · Apr 28 | Oct 9 · Oct 23 · Nov 5 | 192 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 13 · Apr 2 · Apr 19 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 215 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 17 · Apr 7 | Oct 30 · Nov 11 · Nov 29 | 239 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Springfield
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 2 – May 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jun 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72157 is matched to the NOAA station Conway, AR, 19.7 km away, at 312 ft elevation (134 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conway, AR (used) | 312 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 2 |
| Greenbrier, AR | 338 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 25 |
| Morrilton, AR | 340 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 2 |
| Marche, AR | 272 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Springfield
- Solgohachia, AR 72156 · last Mar 30, first Nov 2
- Center Ridge, AR 72027 · last Mar 30, first Nov 2
- Plumerville, AR 72127 · last Apr 2, first Nov 2
- Wooster, AR 72181 · last Apr 2, first Nov 2
- Menifee, AR 72107 · last Apr 2, first Nov 2
- Damascus, AR 72039 · last Apr 9, first Oct 25
- Greenbrier, AR 72058 · last Apr 9, first Oct 25
- Cleveland, AR 72030 · last Mar 30, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Springfield, AR?
- For ZIP code 72157, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Conway, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in Springfield, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72157?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 215 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.