Frost dates for 72390West Helena, AR
The average last spring frost in West Helena is March 15 and the average first fall frost is November 16, giving a typical growing season of about 246 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 15
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 16
- Growing season
- 246 days
Safer after Apr 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 2 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 13 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 10 · Mar 30 · Apr 16 | Oct 24 · Nov 5 · Nov 21 | 223 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 15 · Apr 1 | Nov 2 · Nov 16 · Dec 4 | 246 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 10 · Mar 3 · Mar 21 | Nov 10 · Nov 29 · Dec 19 | 270 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for West Helena
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 12 – Apr 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – Jul 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Jul 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Apr 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Jan 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 6 – Dec 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72390 is matched to the NOAA station Helena, AR, 6.7 km away, at 195 ft elevation (51 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helena, AR (used) | 195 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 16 |
| Marianna 2 S, AR | 234 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 11 |
| Tunica 2 N, MS | 206 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 15 |
| Clarksdale, MS | 173 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near West Helena
- Helena, AR 72342 · last Mar 15, first Nov 16
- Barton, AR 72312 · last Mar 15, first Nov 16
- Lexa, AR 72355 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
- Oneida, AR 72369 · last Mar 15, first Nov 16
- Lula, MS 38644 · last Mar 15, first Nov 16
- Friars Point, MS 38631 · last Mar 15, first Nov 16
- Poplar Grove, AR 72374 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
- Coahoma, MS 38617 · last Mar 15, first Nov 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in West Helena, AR?
- For ZIP code 72390, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Helena, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 1.
- When is the first frost in West Helena, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72390?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 246 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.