Rison, AR frost dates
Last spring frostMar 17median date
First fall frostNov 14median date
Growing season242 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Rison compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Rison falls between February 26 and April 6, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 30 and December 4.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Arkansas median of Mar 28.
- Its 242-day growing season is longer than 91% of the 603 Arkansas places with a regular frost season (state median 222 days).
- The last frost is 12 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 52 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Little Rock, AR, 93 km away, the last frost here is 4 days earlier than there and the growing season is 8 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 26 |
| 50% (median) | March 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 30 |
| 50% (median) | November 14 |
| 90% (late) | December 4 |
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 Rison, AR
Rison, AR frost dates — last frost Mar 17, first frost Nov 14, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 21
Plant for fall: Oct 31 to Dec 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Rison, AR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 17 – Mar 24 | Sep 19 – Oct 17 |
| Kale | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Broccoli | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Okra | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Basil | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 3 – Feb 24 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 3 – Feb 24 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 24 | Oct 3 – Oct 24 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 24 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 24 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| 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 Rison, AR weather station, 8 km away (elevation 279 ft (85 m)).
Frost dates near Rison
- Kingsland Mar 26 · Nov 6
- New Edinburg Mar 20 · Nov 11
- Star City Mar 15 · Nov 17
- Grapevine Apr 1 · Nov 3
- Ivan Mar 26 · Nov 6
- Pine Bluff Mar 14 · Nov 16
- Fordyce Mar 26 · Nov 6
- White Hall Mar 14 · Nov 16
- Warren Mar 20 · Nov 11
- Moscow Mar 13 · Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rison, AR?
The median last spring frost in Rison, AR is March 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Rison, 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 Rison, AR?
About 242 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Rison, AR?
Rison, AR is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.