Frost dates for 72930Cecil, AR
The average last spring frost in Cecil is March 30 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 222 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 222 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 4 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 13 · Apr 30 | Oct 15 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 198 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 10 · Mar 30 · Apr 17 | Oct 23 · Nov 6 · Nov 23 | 222 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 15 · Apr 4 | Nov 2 · Nov 18 · Dec 6 | 246 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cecil
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 17 |
| 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 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 17 |
| 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 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – May 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 72930 is matched to the NOAA station Ozark 2, AR, 18.4 km away, at 830 ft elevation (295 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ozark 2, AR (used) | 830 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 6 |
| Mountainburg 2 Ne, AR | 793 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 28 |
| Ft Smith Rgnl Ap, AR | 449 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 6 |
| Booneville 3 Sse, AR | 600 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Cecil
- Mulberry, AR 72947 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Dyer, AR 72935 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Charleston, AR 72933 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Lavaca, AR 72941 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Branch, AR 72928 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Alma, AR 72921 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Ratcliff, AR 72951 · last Mar 28, first Nov 5
- Ozark, AR 72949 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cecil, AR?
- For ZIP code 72930, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ozark 2, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Cecil, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 72930?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 222 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.