Madison, AR frost dates
Last spring frostMar 23median date
First fall frostNov 7median date
Growing season229 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Madison compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Madison falls between March 3 and April 8, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 24 and November 27.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Arkansas median of Mar 28.
- Its 229-day growing season is longer than 67% of the 603 Arkansas places with a regular frost season (state median 222 days).
- The last frost is 6 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 60 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Southaven, MS, 68 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 16 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 3 |
| 50% (median) | March 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 24 |
| 50% (median) | November 7 |
| 90% (late) | November 27 |
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 Madison, AR
Madison, AR frost dates — last frost Mar 23, first frost Nov 7, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Madison, AR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Feb 23 – Mar 30 | Sep 12 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Broccoli | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Okra | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Basil | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 30 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| 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 Wynne, AR weather station, 27 km away (elevation 259 ft (79 m)).
Frost dates near Madison
- Forrest City Mar 23 · Nov 7
- Widener Mar 23 · Nov 7
- Caldwell Mar 23 · Nov 7
- Haynes Mar 18 · Nov 11
- Colt Mar 23 · Nov 7
- Palestine Mar 18 · Nov 11
- Hughes Mar 14 · Nov 15
- Heth Mar 16 · Nov 11
- Wynne Mar 23 · Nov 7
- Brickeys Mar 14 · Nov 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Madison, AR?
The median last spring frost in Madison, AR is March 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Madison, AR?
The median first fall frost is November 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 24.
How long is the growing season in Madison, AR?
About 229 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Madison, AR?
Madison, AR is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.