Frost dates for 72466Smithville, AR
The average last spring frost in Smithville is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 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) | Apr 11 · Apr 26 · May 9 | Sep 30 · Oct 12 · Oct 22 | 169 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 14 · Apr 29 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 1 · Apr 17 | Oct 18 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Smithville
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72466 is matched to the NOAA station Evening Shade 1 Nne, AR, 30.6 km away, at 514 ft elevation (1 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evening Shade 1 Nne, AR (used) | 514 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 20 |
| Alicia 2Nne, AR | 258 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 5 |
| Hardy, AR | 400 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 31 |
| Pocahontas 1, AR | 315 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Smithville
- Powhatan, AR 72458 · last Mar 27, first Nov 5
- Lynn, AR 72440 · last Mar 27, first Nov 5
- Ravenden, AR 72459 · last Apr 4, first Oct 31
- Strawberry, AR 72469 · last Mar 27, first Nov 5
- Imboden, AR 72434 · last Mar 31, first Nov 1
- Black Rock, AR 72415 · last Mar 31, first Nov 1
- Poughkeepsie, AR 72569 · last Apr 14, first Oct 20
- Portia, AR 72457 · last Mar 27, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Smithville, AR?
- For ZIP code 72466, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Evening Shade 1 Nne, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Smithville, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72466?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.