Frost dates for 72414Black Oak, AR
The average last spring frost in Black Oak is March 23 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 230 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 23
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 230 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 14 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 18 · Apr 4 · Apr 21 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 205 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 23 · Apr 9 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 26 | 230 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 10 · Mar 30 | Nov 5 · Nov 20 · Dec 8 | 254 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Black Oak
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 20 |
| 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 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 20 |
| 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 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – May 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Mar 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72414 is matched to the NOAA station Jonesboro Muni Ap, AR, 22.2 km away, at 262 ft elevation (32 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro Muni Ap, AR (used) | 262 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 9 |
| Jonesboro 2 Ne, AR | 310 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 1 |
| Paragould 1S, AR | 270 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 6 |
| Keiser, AR | 232 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Black Oak
- Lake City, AR 72437 · last Mar 23, first Nov 9
- Monette, AR 72447 · last Mar 26, first Nov 6
- Caraway, AR 72419 · last Mar 23, first Nov 6
- Bay, AR 72411 · last Mar 23, first Nov 9
- Brookland, AR 72417 · last Apr 1, first Nov 1
- Rivervale, AR 72377 · last Mar 23, first Nov 6
- Manila, AR 72442 · last Mar 23, first Nov 6
- West Ridge, AR 72391 · last Mar 23, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Black Oak, AR?
- For ZIP code 72414, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Jonesboro Muni Ap, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Black Oak, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72414?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 230 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.