Frost dates for 72359Madison, AR
The average last spring frost in Madison is March 23 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 231 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 23
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 231 days
Safer after Apr 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 24 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 17 · Apr 4 · Apr 18 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 12 | 209 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 3 · Mar 23 · Apr 8 | Oct 24 · Nov 7 · Nov 27 | 231 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 19 · Mar 9 · Mar 28 | Nov 2 · Nov 20 · Dec 12 | 255 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Madison
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 20 – Apr 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – May 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Mar 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72359 is matched to the NOAA station Wynne, AR, 26.7 km away, at 260 ft elevation (60 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wynne, AR (used) | 260 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 7 |
| Marianna 2 S, AR | 234 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 11 |
| West Memphis Muni Ap, AR | 214 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 11 |
| Tunica 2 N, MS | 206 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 15 |
Frost dates near Madison
- Forrest City, AR 72335 · last Mar 23, first Nov 7
- Widener, AR 72394 · last Mar 23, first Nov 7
- Caldwell, AR 72322 · last Mar 23, first Nov 7
- Haynes, AR 72341 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
- Colt, AR 72326 · last Mar 23, first Nov 7
- Palestine, AR 72372 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
- Hughes, AR 72348 · last Mar 14, first Nov 15
- Heth, AR 72346 · last Mar 16, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Madison, AR?
- For ZIP code 72359, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wynne, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 8.
- When is the first frost in Madison, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72359?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 231 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.