Frost dates for 72904 — Fort Smith, AR
Last spring frostMar 25median date
First fall frostNov 6median date
Growing season226 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Fort Smith compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Fort Smith falls between March 4 and April 11, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 23 and November 21.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Arkansas median of Mar 28.
- Its 226-day growing season is longer than 57% of the 603 Arkansas places with a regular frost season (state median 222 days).
- The last frost is 4 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 63 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 4 |
| 50% (median) | March 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 23 |
| 50% (median) | November 6 |
| 90% (late) | November 21 |
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 Fort Smith, AR
Frost dates for 72904 — Fort Smith, AR — last frost Mar 25, first frost Nov 6, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Fort Smith, AR
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Feb 25 – Apr 1 | Sep 11 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Broccoli | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Okra | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — |
| Basil | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 18 – Apr 1 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 23 – Nov 27 |
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 Ft Smith Rgnl Ap, AR weather station, 8 km away (elevation 449 ft (137 m)).
ZIP codes in Fort Smith: 72901 72902 72903 72904 72905 72906 72908 72913 72914 72916 72917 72918 72919
Frost dates near Fort Smith
- Van Buren Mar 25 · Nov 6
- Barling Mar 25 · Nov 6
- Rudy Apr 9 · Oct 28
- Lavaca Mar 25 · Nov 6
- Uniontown Apr 9 · Oct 28
- Alma Apr 9 · Oct 28
- Cedarville Apr 9 · Oct 28
- Hackett Mar 25 · Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Fort Smith, AR?
The median last spring frost in Fort Smith, AR is March 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Fort Smith, AR?
The median first fall frost is November 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 23.
How long is the growing season in Fort Smith, AR?
About 226 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Fort Smith, AR?
Fort Smith, AR is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.