Houston, AR frost dates
Last spring frostMar 30median date
First fall frostNov 2median date
Growing season217 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Houston compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Houston falls between March 11 and April 15, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 19 and November 20.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Arkansas median of Mar 28.
- Its 217-day growing season is longer than 36% 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 81 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Conway, AR, 27 km away, the last frost here is 3 days earlier than there and the growing season is 3 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 11 |
| 50% (median) | March 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 19 |
| 50% (median) | November 2 |
| 90% (late) | November 20 |
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 Houston, AR
Houston, AR frost dates — last frost Mar 30, first frost Nov 2, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Transplant outside: Apr 13 to May 4
Plant for fall: Oct 19 to Nov 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Houston, AR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 2 – Apr 6 | Sep 7 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Broccoli | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Okra | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Basil | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 23 – Apr 6 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 19 – Nov 23 |
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 Morrilton, AR weather station, 15 km away (elevation 341 ft (104 m)).
Frost dates near Houston
- Bigelow Apr 2 · Nov 2
- Perry Mar 30 · Nov 2
- Plumerville Apr 2 · Nov 2
- Morrilton Mar 30 · Nov 2
- Perryville Mar 28 · Nov 8
- Menifee Apr 2 · Nov 2
- Adona Mar 30 · Nov 2
- Roland Apr 1 · Nov 1
- Wooster Apr 2 · Nov 2
- Solgohachia Mar 30 · Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Houston, AR?
The median last spring frost in Houston, AR is March 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Houston, AR?
The median first fall frost is November 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 19.
How long is the growing season in Houston, AR?
About 217 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Houston, AR?
Houston, AR is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.