Melbourne, AR frost dates
Last spring frostApr 14median date
First fall frostOct 28median date
Growing season197 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Melbourne compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Melbourne falls between March 30 and April 29, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 12 and November 8.
- The median last frost is 17 days later than the Arkansas median of Mar 28.
- Its 197-day growing season is longer than 4% of the 603 Arkansas places with a regular frost season (state median 222 days).
- The last frost is 9 days later than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 100 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Jonesboro, AR, 111 km away, the last frost here is 22 days later than there and the growing season is 34 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 30 |
| 50% (median) | April 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 12 |
| 50% (median) | October 28 |
| 90% (late) | November 8 |
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 Melbourne, AR
Melbourne, AR frost dates — last frost Apr 14, first frost Oct 28, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 19
Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Melbourne, AR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 17 – Apr 21 | Sep 2 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Okra | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Basil | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 21 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 14 – Nov 18 |
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 Calico Rock 2 Wsw, AR weather station, 24 km away (elevation 351 ft (107 m)).
Frost dates near Melbourne
- Brockwell Apr 14 · Oct 28
- Sage Apr 14 · Oct 20
- Violet Hill Apr 8 · Oct 30
- Mount Pleasant Apr 8 · Oct 26
- Guion Apr 8 · Oct 26
- Wideman Apr 14 · Oct 28
- Oxford Apr 8 · Oct 30
- Franklin Apr 14 · Oct 20
- Horseshoe Bend Apr 8 · Oct 30
- Wiseman Apr 8 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Melbourne, AR?
The median last spring frost in Melbourne, AR is April 14. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Melbourne, AR?
The median first fall frost is October 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 12.
How long is the growing season in Melbourne, AR?
About 197 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Melbourne, AR?
Melbourne, AR is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.