Frost dates for 72206Little Rock, AR
The average last spring frost in Little Rock is March 21 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 234 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 21
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 234 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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 16 · Apr 3 · Apr 21 | Oct 20 · Oct 31 · Nov 14 | 211 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 21 · Apr 6 | Oct 29 · Nov 10 · Nov 25 | 234 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 8 · Mar 26 | Nov 6 · Nov 21 · Dec 8 | 256 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 | Feb 18 – Apr 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – May 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72206 is matched to the NOAA station Little Rock Ap Adams Fld, AR, 6 km away, at 258 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock Ap Adams Fld, AR (used) | 258 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 10 |
| Little Rock, AR | 568 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 16 |
| Marche, AR | 272 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 1 |
| Keo, AR | 231 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Little Rock
- Sweet Home, AR 72164 · last Mar 21, first Nov 10
- College Station, AR 72053 · last Mar 21, first Nov 10
- Little Rock, AR 72202 · last Mar 21, first Nov 10
- North Little Rock, AR 72114 · last Mar 21, first Nov 10
- Mabelvale, AR 72103 · last Mar 21, first Nov 10
- Wrightsville, AR 72183 · last Mar 21, first Nov 10
- Scott, AR 72142 · last Mar 21, first Nov 10
- Woodson, AR 72180 · last Mar 21, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Little Rock, AR?
- For ZIP code 72206, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Little Rock Ap Adams Fld, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Little Rock, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72206?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 234 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.