Frost dates for 72428Etowah, AR
The average last spring frost in Etowah is March 23 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 229 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 23
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 229 days
Safer after Apr 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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 3 · Apr 19 | Oct 12 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 208 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 23 · Apr 8 | Oct 23 · Nov 6 · Nov 27 | 229 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 8 · Mar 29 | Nov 2 · Nov 22 · Dec 14 | 256 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Etowah
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 17 |
| 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 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 17 |
| 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 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – May 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Mar 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72428 is matched to the NOAA station Keiser, AR, 9.4 km away, at 232 ft elevation (2 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keiser, AR (used) | 232 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 6 |
| Blytheville, AR | 252 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 14 |
| Blytheville Muni Ap, AR | 255 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 6 |
| Jonesboro Muni Ap, AR | 262 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Etowah
- West Ridge, AR 72391 · last Mar 23, first Nov 6
- Keiser, AR 72351 · last Mar 23, first Nov 6
- Manila, AR 72442 · last Mar 23, first Nov 6
- Caraway, AR 72419 · last Mar 23, first Nov 6
- Rivervale, AR 72377 · last Mar 23, first Nov 6
- Dyess, AR 72330 · last Mar 23, first Nov 6
- Dell, AR 72426 · last Mar 18, first Nov 14
- Osceola, AR 72370 · last Mar 23, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Etowah, AR?
- For ZIP code 72428, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Keiser, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 8.
- When is the first frost in Etowah, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72428?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 229 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.