Frost dates for 72921Alma, AR
The average last spring frost in Alma is April 9 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 201 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 201 days
Safer after Apr 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 159 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 7 · Apr 23 · May 8 | Oct 5 · Oct 18 · Nov 2 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 9 · Apr 28 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 12 | 201 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 28 · Apr 14 | Oct 23 · Nov 6 · Nov 25 | 222 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Alma
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 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72921 is matched to the NOAA station Mountainburg 2 Ne, AR, 17.3 km away, at 793 ft elevation (65 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountainburg 2 Ne, AR (used) | 793 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 28 |
| Ft Smith Rgnl Ap, AR | 449 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 6 |
| Ozark 2, AR | 830 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 6 |
| Winslow 7Ne, AR | 2,189 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Alma
- Dyer, AR 72935 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Rudy, AR 72952 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Van Buren, AR 72956 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Lavaca, AR 72941 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Mountainburg, AR 72946 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Cecil, AR 72930 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Cedarville, AR 72932 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Fort Smith, AR 72904 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Alma, AR?
- For ZIP code 72921, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mountainburg 2 Ne, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Alma, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72921?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 201 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.