Sims, AR frost dates
Last spring frostApr 2median date
First fall frostOct 31median date
Growing season212 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Sims compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sims falls between March 13 and April 20, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 16 and November 16.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the Arkansas median of Mar 28.
- Its 212-day growing season is longer than 24% of the 603 Arkansas places with a regular frost season (state median 222 days).
- The last frost is 4 days later 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 73 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Fort Smith, AR, 104 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 14 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 13 |
| 50% (median) | April 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 16 |
| 50% (median) | October 31 |
| 90% (late) | November 16 |
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 Sims, AR
Sims, AR frost dates — last frost Apr 2, first frost Oct 31, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Transplant outside: Apr 16 to May 7
Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sims, AR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 5 – Apr 9 | Sep 5 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Okra | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Basil | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 17 – Nov 21 |
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 Mount Ida Asos, AR weather station, 14 km away (elevation 702 ft (214 m)).
Frost dates near Sims
- Pencil Bluff Apr 8 · Oct 26
- Oden Apr 8 · Oct 26
- Story Apr 2 · Oct 31
- Mount Ida Apr 2 · Oct 31
- Norman Apr 8 · Oct 26
- Harvey Apr 4 · Nov 1
- Gravelly Mar 31 · Nov 1
- Bluffton Mar 31 · Nov 1
- Caddo Gap Mar 26 · Nov 12
- Parks Apr 8 · Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sims, AR?
The median last spring frost in Sims, AR is April 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sims, AR?
The median first fall frost is October 31, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 16.
How long is the growing season in Sims, AR?
About 212 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sims, AR?
Sims, AR is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.