Frost dates for 72740Huntsville, AR
The average last spring frost in Huntsville is March 30 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 224 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 224 days
Safer after Apr 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 24 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 12 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 25 · Apr 10 · Apr 27 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 201 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 30 · Apr 15 | Oct 24 · Nov 7 · Nov 23 | 224 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 18 · Apr 4 | Nov 1 · Nov 17 · Dec 4 | 245 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Huntsville
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 | Feb 27 – May 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – May 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72740 is matched to the NOAA station Huntsville 1 Ssw, AR, 4.4 km away, at 1,783 ft elevation (376 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville 1 Ssw, AR (used) | 1,783 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 7 |
| Kingston 2S, AR | 2,145 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 29 |
| Winslow 7Ne, AR | 2,189 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 5 |
| Fayetteville Exp Stn, AR | 1,270 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Huntsville
- Hindsville, AR 72738 · last Mar 30, first Nov 7
- Wesley, AR 72773 · last Mar 30, first Nov 7
- Kingston, AR 72742 · last Mar 30, first Nov 7
- Witter, AR 72776 · last Mar 30, first Nov 7
- Goshen, AR 72735 · last Apr 4, first Oct 31
- Elkins, AR 72727 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
- Combs, AR 72721 · last Mar 30, first Nov 7
- Saint Paul, AR 72760 · last Mar 30, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Huntsville, AR?
- For ZIP code 72740, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Huntsville 1 Ssw, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 15.
- When is the first frost in Huntsville, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72740?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 224 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.