Frost dates for 72714Bella Vista, AR
The average last spring frost in Bella Vista is April 12 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 195 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 195 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 167 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 9 · Apr 24 · May 8 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 175 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 12 · Apr 29 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 9 | 195 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 31 · Apr 18 | Oct 20 · Nov 4 · Nov 22 | 217 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bella Vista
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 12 – May 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 5 – May 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72714 is matched to the NOAA station Bentonville 4 S, AR, 16.2 km away, at 1,220 ft elevation (134 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bentonville 4 S, AR (used) | 1,220 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 26 |
| Washburn 5 W, MO | 1,400 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 30 |
| Gravette, AR | 1,260 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 28 |
| Fayetteville Nw Ar Ap, AR | 1,287 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Bella Vista
- Pea Ridge, AR 72751 · last Apr 12, first Oct 26
- Bella Vista, AR 72715 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Bentonville, AR 72716 · last Apr 12, first Oct 26
- Hiwasse, AR 72739 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Centerton, AR 72719 · last Apr 8, first Oct 28
- Avoca, AR 72711 · last Apr 12, first Oct 26
- Rogers, AR 72756 · last Apr 12, first Oct 26
- Powell, MO 65730 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bella Vista, AR?
- For ZIP code 72714, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bentonville 4 S, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Bella Vista, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72714?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 195 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.