Bismarck, AR frost dates
Last spring frostMar 20median date
First fall frostNov 10median date
Growing season235 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Bismarck compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bismarck falls between February 28 and April 7, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 27 and November 28.
- The median last frost is 8 days earlier than the Arkansas median of Mar 28.
- Its 235-day growing season is longer than 79% of the 603 Arkansas places with a regular frost season (state median 222 days).
- The last frost is 9 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 58 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Little Rock, AR, 92 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 28 |
| 50% (median) | March 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 27 |
| 50% (median) | November 10 |
| 90% (late) | November 28 |
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 Bismarck, AR
Bismarck, AR frost dates — last frost Mar 20, first frost Nov 10, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Plant for fall: Oct 27 to Dec 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bismarck, AR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Feb 20 – Mar 27 | Sep 15 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Okra | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Basil | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 27 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 27 – Dec 1 |
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 Degray Lake Sp, AR weather station, 7 km away (elevation 489 ft (149 m)).
Frost dates near Bismarck
- Pearcy Apr 3 · Nov 4
- Friendship Mar 24 · Nov 9
- Bonnerdale Apr 2 · Oct 31
- Alpine Mar 20 · Nov 10
- Amity Mar 20 · Nov 10
- Arkadelphia Mar 26 · Nov 4
- Royal Apr 3 · Nov 4
- Donaldson Mar 24 · Nov 9
- Hot Springs National Park Mar 19 · Nov 13
- Okolona Mar 26 · Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bismarck, AR?
The median last spring frost in Bismarck, AR is March 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bismarck, AR?
The median first fall frost is November 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 27.
How long is the growing season in Bismarck, AR?
About 235 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bismarck, AR?
Bismarck, AR is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.