Frost dates for 72533Fifty Six, AR
The average last spring frost in Fifty Six is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 25 · May 7 | Oct 2 · Oct 17 · Oct 28 | 174 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 14 · Apr 29 | Oct 12 · Oct 28 · Nov 8 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 1 · Apr 17 | Oct 24 · Nov 5 · Nov 23 | 219 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fifty Six
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 – Jul 8 |
| 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 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 8 |
| 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 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72533 is matched to the NOAA station Calico Rock 2 Wsw, AR, 13.9 km away, at 350 ft elevation (221 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calico Rock 2 Wsw, AR (used) | 350 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 28 |
| Mtn View, AR | 716 ft | Apr 2 | Oct 31 |
| Marshall, AR | 951 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
| Batesville Lvstk, AR | 571 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Fifty Six
- Timbo, AR 72657 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
- Onia, AR 72663 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Calico Rock, AR 72519 · last Apr 14, first Oct 28
- Big Flat, AR 72617 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
- Pineville, AR 72566 · last Apr 14, first Oct 28
- Norfork, AR 72658 · last Mar 31, first Nov 1
- Mountain View, AR 72560 · last Apr 2, first Oct 31
- Harriet, AR 72639 · last Apr 11, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fifty Six, AR?
- For ZIP code 72533, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Calico Rock 2 Wsw, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Fifty Six, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72533?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 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.