Frost dates for 72372Palestine, AR
The average last spring frost in Palestine is March 18 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 238 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 18
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 238 days
Safer after Apr 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 14 · Mar 31 · Apr 18 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 215 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 18 · Apr 5 | Oct 28 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 238 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 19 · Mar 7 · Mar 22 | Nov 6 · Nov 26 · Dec 19 | 263 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Palestine
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 15 – Apr 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Jan 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – May 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72372 is matched to the NOAA station Marianna 2 S, AR, 28.2 km away, at 234 ft elevation (24 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marianna 2 S, AR (used) | 234 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 11 |
| Brinkley, AR | 185 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 11 |
| Wynne, AR | 260 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 7 |
| Clarendon, AR | 179 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Palestine
- Forrest City, AR 72336 · last Mar 23, first Nov 7
- Goodwin, AR 72340 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
- Caldwell, AR 72322 · last Mar 23, first Nov 7
- Colt, AR 72326 · last Mar 23, first Nov 7
- Haynes, AR 72341 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
- Madison, AR 72359 · last Mar 23, first Nov 7
- Wheatley, AR 72392 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
- Moro, AR 72368 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Palestine, AR?
- For ZIP code 72372, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marianna 2 S, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 5.
- When is the first frost in Palestine, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72372?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 238 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.