Frost dates for 72203Little Rock, AR
The average last spring frost in Little Rock is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 213 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 213 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 19 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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 29 · Apr 13 · Apr 28 | Oct 9 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 190 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 13 · Apr 1 · Apr 17 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 213 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 17 · Apr 5 | Oct 30 · Nov 11 · Nov 27 | 237 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Little Rock
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 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72203 is matched to the NOAA station Marche, AR, 3.9 km away, at 272 ft elevation (10 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marche, AR (used) | 272 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 1 |
| Little Rock, AR | 568 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 16 |
| Little Rock Ap Adams Fld, AR | 258 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 10 |
| Conway, AR | 312 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 2 |
Frost dates near Little Rock
- Maumelle, AR 72113 · last Mar 21, first Nov 10
- North Little Rock, AR 72118 · last Mar 16, first Nov 16
- Mayflower, AR 72106 · last Apr 2, first Nov 2
- Little Rock, AR 72212 · last Mar 21, first Nov 10
- Roland, AR 72135 · last Apr 2, first Nov 2
- Sherwood, AR 72120 · last Mar 21, first Nov 10
- Conway, AR 72032 · last Apr 2, first Nov 2
- Jacksonville, AR 72076 · last Apr 4, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Little Rock, AR?
- For ZIP code 72203, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marche, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Little Rock, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72203?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 213 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.