Frost dates for 72401Jonesboro, AR
The average last spring frost in Jonesboro is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 215 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 215 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (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 27 · Apr 12 · Apr 30 | Oct 12 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 194 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 1 · Apr 18 | Oct 21 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 215 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 20 · Apr 6 | Oct 29 · Nov 10 · Dec 1 | 237 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Jonesboro
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 72401 is matched to the NOAA station Jonesboro 2 Ne, AR, 3.8 km away, at 310 ft elevation (11 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro 2 Ne, AR (used) | 310 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 1 |
| Jonesboro Muni Ap, AR | 262 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 9 |
| Paragould 1S, AR | 270 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 6 |
| Poinsett Sp, AR | 345 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 7 |
Frost dates near Jonesboro
- Jonesboro, AR 72403 · last Apr 1, first Nov 1
- State University, AR 72467 · last Apr 1, first Nov 1
- Bono, AR 72416 · last Apr 1, first Nov 1
- Brookland, AR 72417 · last Apr 1, first Nov 1
- Bay, AR 72411 · last Mar 23, first Nov 9
- Cash, AR 72421 · last Mar 27, first Nov 5
- Egypt, AR 72427 · last Mar 27, first Nov 5
- Lake City, AR 72437 · last Mar 23, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Jonesboro, AR?
- For ZIP code 72401, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Jonesboro 2 Ne, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Jonesboro, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72401?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 215 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.