Frost dates for 72801Russellville, AR
The average last spring frost in Russellville is March 29 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 219 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 29
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 219 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 26 · Apr 10 · Apr 24 | Oct 10 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 196 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 10 · Mar 29 · Apr 13 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 18 | 219 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 13 · Apr 4 | Oct 31 · Nov 14 · Dec 2 | 244 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Russellville
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 26 – May 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – May 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72801 is matched to the NOAA station Russellville Muni Ap, AR, 4.4 km away, at 403 ft elevation (49 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russellville Muni Ap, AR (used) | 403 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 2 |
| Dardanelle, AR | 370 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 2 |
| Morrilton, AR | 340 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 2 |
| Nimrod Dam, AR | 480 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Russellville
- Russellville, AR 72811 · last Mar 29, first Nov 2
- Pottsville, AR 72858 · last Mar 29, first Nov 2
- Dardanelle, AR 72834 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Dover, AR 72837 · last Mar 29, first Nov 2
- London, AR 72847 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Atkins, AR 72823 · last Mar 29, first Nov 2
- Delaware, AR 72835 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Centerville, AR 72829 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Russellville, AR?
- For ZIP code 72801, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Russellville Muni Ap, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Russellville, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72801?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 219 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.