Alma, AR frost dates
Last spring frostApr 9median date
First fall frostOct 28median date
Growing season202 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Alma compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Alma falls between March 24 and April 28, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 14 and November 12.
- The median last frost is 12 days later than the Arkansas median of Mar 28.
- Its 202-day growing season is longer than 11% of the 603 Arkansas places with a regular frost season (state median 222 days).
- The last frost is 11 days later than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 87 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Fort Smith, AR, 23 km away, the last frost here is 15 days later than there and the growing season is 24 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 24 |
| 50% (median) | April 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 14 |
| 50% (median) | October 28 |
| 90% (late) | November 12 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Alma, AR
Alma, AR frost dates — last frost Apr 9, first frost Oct 28, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 14
Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Alma, AR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 12 – Apr 16 | Sep 2 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Okra | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Basil | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 16 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 14 – Nov 18 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Mountainburg 2 Ne, AR weather station, 17 km away (elevation 794 ft (242 m)).
Frost dates near Alma
- Dyer Apr 9 · Oct 28
- Rudy Apr 9 · Oct 28
- Van Buren Mar 25 · Nov 6
- Lavaca Mar 25 · Nov 6
- Mountainburg Apr 9 · Oct 28
- Cecil Mar 30 · Nov 6
- Cedarville Apr 9 · Oct 28
- Mulberry Mar 30 · Nov 6
- Barling Mar 25 · Nov 6
- Chester Apr 9 · Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Alma, AR?
The median last spring frost in Alma, AR is April 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Alma, AR?
The median first fall frost is October 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 14.
How long is the growing season in Alma, AR?
About 202 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Alma, AR?
Alma, AR is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.