Bluffton, AR frost dates
Last spring frostMar 31median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season215 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Bluffton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bluffton falls between March 12 and April 17, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 18 and November 17.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the Arkansas median of Mar 28.
- Its 215-day growing season is longer than 30% of the 603 Arkansas places with a regular frost season (state median 222 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 71 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Fort Smith, AR, 90 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 11 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 12 |
| 50% (median) | March 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 18 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 90% (late) | November 17 |
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 Bluffton, AR
Bluffton, AR frost dates — last frost Mar 31, first frost Nov 1, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Transplant outside: Apr 14 to May 5
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bluffton, AR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 3 – Apr 7 | Sep 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Okra | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Basil | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 18 – Nov 22 |
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 Blue Mtn Dam, AR weather station, 24 km away (elevation 427 ft (130 m)).
Frost dates near Bluffton
- Briggsville Mar 31 · Nov 1
- Gravelly Mar 31 · Nov 1
- Harvey Apr 4 · Nov 1
- Rover Mar 22 · Nov 11
- Havana Mar 31 · Nov 1
- Danville Mar 22 · Nov 11
- Belleville Mar 31 · Nov 1
- Story Apr 2 · Oct 31
- Plainview Mar 22 · Nov 11
- Blue Mountain Mar 31 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bluffton, AR?
The median last spring frost in Bluffton, AR is March 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bluffton, AR?
The median first fall frost is November 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 18.
How long is the growing season in Bluffton, AR?
About 215 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bluffton, AR?
Bluffton, AR is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.