Frost dates for 72661Oakland, AR
The average last spring frost in Oakland is April 2 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 212 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 2
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 212 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 150 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 30 · Apr 15 · May 2 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 189 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 14 · Apr 2 · Apr 19 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 212 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 20 · Apr 7 | Oct 30 · Nov 11 · Nov 30 | 235 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oakland
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 2 – May 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jun 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72661 is matched to the NOAA station Mountain Home Baxter Ap, AR, 13.1 km away, at 928 ft elevation (256 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Home Baxter Ap, AR (used) | 928 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 1 |
| Mtn Home 1 Nnw, AR | 800 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 1 |
| Lead Hill, AR | 830 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
| Wasola 5N, MO | 1,226 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Oakland
- Pontiac, MO 65729 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Bull Shoals, AR 72619 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Lakeview, AR 72642 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Midway, AR 72651 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Isabella, MO 65676 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Peel, AR 72668 · last Apr 15, first Oct 22
- Theodosia, MO 65761 · last Apr 15, first Oct 22
- Gassville, AR 72635 · last Mar 31, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oakland, AR?
- For ZIP code 72661, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mountain Home Baxter Ap, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in Oakland, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72661?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 212 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.