Frost dates for 72733Gateway, AR
The average last spring frost in Gateway is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 185 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 185 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 173 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 13 · Apr 30 · May 12 | Sep 26 · Oct 10 · Oct 25 | 166 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 18 · May 3 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 185 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 6 · Apr 23 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 207 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gateway
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 18 – May 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72733 is matched to the NOAA station Seligman, MO, 6.2 km away, at 1,530 ft elevation (29 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seligman, MO (used) | 1,530 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 22 |
| Washburn 5 W, MO | 1,400 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 30 |
| Cassville, MO | 1,376 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 26 |
| Bentonville 4 S, AR | 1,220 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Gateway
- Seligman, MO 65745 · last Apr 18, first Oct 22
- Garfield, AR 72732 · last Apr 18, first Oct 22
- Washburn, MO 65772 · last Apr 4, first Oct 30
- Eureka Springs, AR 72631 · last Apr 12, first Oct 26
- Avoca, AR 72711 · last Apr 12, first Oct 26
- Pea Ridge, AR 72751 · last Apr 12, first Oct 26
- Eagle Rock, MO 65641 · last Apr 16, first Oct 21
- Beaver, AR 72613 · last Apr 18, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gateway, AR?
- For ZIP code 72733, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Seligman, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Gateway, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72733?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 185 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.