Bay, AR frost dates
Last spring frostMar 23median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season231 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Bay compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bay falls between March 7 and April 9, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 27 and November 26.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Arkansas median of Mar 28.
- Its 231-day growing season is longer than 70% of the 603 Arkansas places with a regular frost season (state median 222 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier 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 65 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Bay shares its weather station with Jonesboro, AR, 16 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 7 |
| 50% (median) | March 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 27 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 90% (late) | November 26 |
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 Bay, AR
Bay, AR frost dates — last frost Mar 23, first frost Nov 9, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bay, AR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Feb 23 – Mar 30 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Basil | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 30 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 26 – Nov 30 |
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 Jonesboro Muni Ap, AR weather station, 13 km away (elevation 262 ft (80 m)).
Frost dates near Bay
- Lake City Mar 23 · Nov 9
- State University Apr 1 · Nov 1
- Jonesboro Mar 23 · Nov 9
- Black Oak Mar 23 · Nov 9
- Trumann Mar 28 · Nov 7
- Brookland Apr 1 · Nov 1
- Caraway Mar 23 · Nov 6
- Rivervale Mar 23 · Nov 6
- Harrisburg Mar 28 · Nov 7
- Lepanto Mar 23 · Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bay, AR?
The median last spring frost in Bay, AR is March 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bay, AR?
The median first fall frost is November 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 27.
How long is the growing season in Bay, AR?
About 231 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bay, AR?
Bay, AR is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.