Fall in zone 8bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 71770 (Waldo, AR)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Magnolia, AR (12 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 3150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)218 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 71770 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring mid-February to mid-March; fall September to early October.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: South Central plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about May 16 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 2: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Mar 9 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 31 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 17 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 21 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 2 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 20 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 10 | Oct 25 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 31 | Nov 2 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 14 | Nov 13 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 71770
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 2). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 3–17 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | Jul 6–Aug 3 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) | Jul 13–Aug 3 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) | Jul 13–Aug 3 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Feb 3–17 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 3–17 | Mar 10–31 (transplant) Mar 3–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 7–28 (transplant) Aug 24–Sep 21 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 17–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 7–28 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 3–17 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–Sep 7 (transplant) Jul 27–Aug 24 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 3–17 | Mar 3–31 (transplant) Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–Sep 7 (transplant) Jul 27–Aug 24 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 27–Aug 24 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 27–Aug 24 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Jul 27–Aug 24 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 6–20 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 13–Aug 3 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 3–17 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 24–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 7–21 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 7–Oct 5 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 7–21 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 17–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 17–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 24–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 24–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 10–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 21–Oct 5 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 24–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 10–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 6–20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 24–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 6–20 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 21–Oct 19 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Sep 21–Oct 19 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 13–27 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 21–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 3–10 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 3–10 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Mar 3–10 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 3–10 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 3–10 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 6–20 | Apr 7–14 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 17–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 7–21 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 10–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 7–21 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 24–Sep 21 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Arkansas has a university or garden plant program: Arkansas Select (ended about 2005). Plant frost-tender annuals after March 31 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Magnolia, AR (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00034548), elevation 372 ft, 11.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewisville, AR | 15 mi | Mar 19 | Nov 12 |
| Hope 3 NE, AR | 26 mi | Mar 26 | Nov 6 |
| Prescott 2 NNW, AR | 30 mi | Mar 29 | Nov 6 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 12 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 71770
When is the last frost in 71770?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 71770 is March 31. For a more cautious planting date, use April 17, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 71770?
The average first fall freeze is November 2. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 21.
What hardiness zone is 71770?
ZIP 71770 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 71770 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
71827 Buckner 71752 McNeil 71864 Willisville 71860 Stamps 71753 Magnolia 71858 Rosston 71764 Stephens 71845 Lewisville
Other ZIP codes in Columbia County
71740 71752 71753 All Columbia County frost dates · Arkansas frost dates
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.