Benton, AR frost dates
Last spring frostMar 24median date
First fall frostNov 7median date
Growing season228 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Benton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Benton falls between March 3 and April 13, a 41-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 26 and November 23.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Arkansas median of Mar 28.
- Its 228-day growing season is longer than 63% of the 603 Arkansas places with a regular frost season (state median 222 days).
- The last frost is 5 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 64 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Little Rock, AR, 32 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 6 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 3 |
| 50% (median) | March 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 26 |
| 50% (median) | November 7 |
| 90% (late) | November 23 |
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 Benton, AR
Benton, AR frost dates — last frost Mar 24, first frost Nov 7, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Benton, AR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Feb 24 – Mar 31 | Sep 12 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Broccoli | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Okra | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Basil | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 31 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 24 – Nov 28 |
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 Benton, AR weather station, 2 km away (elevation 312 ft (95 m)).
ZIP codes in Benton: 72015 72018 72019 72158
Frost dates near Benton
- Bryant Mar 24 · Nov 7
- Traskwood Mar 24 · Nov 7
- Bauxite Mar 24 · Nov 7
- Alexander Mar 24 · Nov 7
- Lonsdale Mar 31 · Nov 5
- Mabelvale Mar 21 · Nov 10
- Paron Mar 28 · Nov 8
- Jones Mill Mar 31 · Nov 5
- Poyen Apr 2 · Nov 2
- Prattsville Apr 1 · Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Benton, AR?
The median last spring frost in Benton, AR is March 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Benton, AR?
The median first fall frost is November 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 26.
How long is the growing season in Benton, AR?
About 228 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Benton, AR?
Benton, AR is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.