Frost dates for 72843Hector, AR
The average last spring frost in Hector is March 25 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 232 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 25
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 232 days
Safer after Apr 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 11 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 21 · Apr 7 · Apr 26 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 209 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 25 · Apr 12 | Oct 28 · Nov 10 · Nov 30 | 232 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 12 · Mar 31 | Nov 5 · Nov 23 · Dec 10 | 253 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hector
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 22 – Apr 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – May 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Mar 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72843 is matched to the NOAA station Clarksville 6 Ne, AR, 40 km away, at 850 ft elevation (282 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville 6 Ne, AR (used) | 850 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 10 |
| Dennard 10 Wsw, AR | 1,740 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 2 |
| Russellville Muni Ap, AR | 403 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 2 |
| Deer, AR | 2,375 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Hector
- Jerusalem, AR 72080 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Russellville, AR 72812 · last Mar 29, first Nov 2
- Dover, AR 72837 · last Mar 29, first Nov 2
- Tilly, AR 72679 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Witts Springs, AR 72686 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Pelsor, AR 72856 · last Apr 7, first Nov 4
- Hagarville, AR 72839 · last Mar 25, first Nov 10
- Cleveland, AR 72030 · last Mar 30, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hector, AR?
- For ZIP code 72843, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clarksville 6 Ne, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 12.
- When is the first frost in Hector, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72843?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 232 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.