Frost dates for 72727Elkins, AR
The average last spring frost in Elkins is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 27 · May 11 | Sep 29 · Oct 11 · Oct 24 | 167 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · May 1 | Oct 8 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 3 · Apr 21 | Oct 16 · Oct 31 · Nov 14 | 209 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elkins
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72727 is matched to the NOAA station Fayetteville Drake Fld, AR, 14.6 km away, at 1,251 ft elevation (57 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville Drake Fld, AR (used) | 1,251 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 21 |
| Fayetteville Exp Stn, AR | 1,270 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 31 |
| Winslow 7Ne, AR | 2,189 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 5 |
| Huntsville 1 Ssw, AR | 1,783 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 7 |
Frost dates near Elkins
- Goshen, AR 72735 · last Apr 4, first Oct 31
- Fayetteville, AR 72701 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
- Wesley, AR 72773 · last Mar 30, first Nov 7
- Greenland, AR 72737 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
- Springdale, AR 72764 · last Apr 4, first Oct 31
- Hindsville, AR 72738 · last Mar 30, first Nov 7
- Johnson, AR 72741 · last Apr 4, first Oct 31
- Farmington, AR 72730 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elkins, AR?
- For ZIP code 72727, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Fayetteville Drake Fld, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Elkins, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72727?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.