Des Arc, AR frost dates
Last spring frostMar 11median date
First fall frostNov 14median date
Growing season248 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Des Arc compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Des Arc falls between February 23 and April 1, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 31 and December 2.
- The median last frost is 17 days earlier than the Arkansas median of Mar 28.
- Its 248-day growing season is longer than 97% of the 603 Arkansas places with a regular frost season (state median 222 days).
- The last frost is 18 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 50 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with North Little Rock, AR, 74 km away, the last frost here is 5 days earlier than there and the growing season is 3 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 23 |
| 50% (median) | March 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 31 |
| 50% (median) | November 14 |
| 90% (late) | December 2 |
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 Des Arc, AR
Des Arc, AR frost dates — last frost Mar 11, first frost Nov 14, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 15
Plant for fall: Oct 31 to Dec 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Des Arc, AR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Feb 11 – Mar 18 | Sep 19 – Oct 17 |
| Kale | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Broccoli | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Okra | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Basil | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 28 – Feb 18 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 28 – Feb 18 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 18 | Oct 3 – Oct 24 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 31 – Dec 5 |
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 Des Arc, AR weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 200 ft (61 m)).
Frost dates near Des Arc
- Biscoe Mar 11 · Nov 14
- Griffithville Mar 11 · Nov 14
- Hickory Plains Mar 11 · Nov 14
- Hazen Mar 11 · Nov 14
- Gregory Mar 11 · Nov 14
- De Valls Bluff Mar 15 · Nov 11
- Cotton Plant Mar 18 · Nov 11
- West Point Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Carlisle Mar 11 · Nov 14
- Higginson Mar 27 · Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Des Arc, AR?
The median last spring frost in Des Arc, AR is March 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Des Arc, AR?
The median first fall frost is November 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 31.
How long is the growing season in Des Arc, AR?
About 248 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Des Arc, AR?
Des Arc, AR is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.