Pickens, AR frost dates
Last spring frostMar 12median date
First fall frostNov 14median date
Growing season247 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Pickens compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Pickens falls between February 24 and March 29, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 30 and December 2.
- The median last frost is 16 days earlier than the Arkansas median of Mar 28.
- Its 247-day growing season is longer than 95% of the 603 Arkansas places with a regular frost season (state median 222 days).
- The last frost is 4 days earlier than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 42 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 24 |
| 50% (median) | March 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 30 |
| 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 Pickens, AR
Pickens, AR frost dates — last frost Mar 12, first frost Nov 14, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 16
Plant for fall: Oct 31 to Dec 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Pickens, AR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Feb 12 – Mar 19 | Sep 19 – Oct 17 |
| Kale | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Broccoli | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Okra | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Basil | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 19 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 19 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 5 – Mar 19 | Oct 3 – Oct 24 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 19 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 19 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| 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 Dumas, AR weather station, 6 km away (elevation 164 ft (50 m)).
Frost dates near Pickens
- Dumas Mar 12 · Nov 14
- Winchester Mar 12 · Nov 14
- Tillar Mar 13 · Nov 10
- Watson Mar 12 · Nov 14
- Gould Mar 12 · Nov 14
- Rohwer Mar 12 · Nov 14
- Yorktown Mar 15 · Nov 17
- Mc Gehee Mar 13 · Nov 10
- Gillett Mar 10 · Nov 18
- Grady Mar 15 · Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Pickens, AR?
The median last spring frost in Pickens, AR is March 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Pickens, AR?
The median first fall frost is November 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 30.
How long is the growing season in Pickens, AR?
About 247 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Pickens, AR?
Pickens, AR is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.