Frost dates for ZIP 71823 (Ben Lomond, 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, Ashdown 4 SSE, AR (15 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 2450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)233 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8a10 to 15°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 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 71823 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 9 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 11: 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 4 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 24 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 8 |
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 30 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 11 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 28 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 5 | Nov 3 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 11 | Nov 21 |
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 71823
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 24) and first fall frost (Nov 11). 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 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 15–Aug 12 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 13–27 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | Jul 22–Aug 12 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 13–27 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | Jul 22–Aug 12 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Mar 3–24 (transplant) Feb 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–Oct 7 (transplant) Sep 2–30 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 10–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 16 (transplant) Aug 5–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Feb 24–Mar 24 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 16 (transplant) Aug 5–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 13–27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) | Aug 5–Sep 2 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 13–27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) | Aug 5–Sep 2 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 13–27 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) | Aug 5–Sep 2 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) | Jul 22–Aug 12 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–16 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 24–Mar 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 24–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 10–24 | Mar 10–31 (transplant) Mar 10–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–16 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 24–Mar 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–16 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 17–Mar 31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 30–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 24–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–16 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 27–Feb 24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Feb 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 10–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–16 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 30–Oct 28 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 10–24 (transplant) | Sep 30–Oct 28 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) | Jul 22–Aug 5 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 14–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 24–Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 24–Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 24–Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 24–Mar 3 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 24–Mar 3 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 10–24 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Apr 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Mar 31–Apr 7 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 10–24 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 10–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 13–27 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) Mar 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) | Sep 2–30 (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 24 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Ashdown 4 SSE, AR (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00030286), elevation 320 ft, 14.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, AR | 17 mi | Mar 26 | Nov 9 |
| Dequeen, AR | 20 mi | Mar 29 | Nov 5 |
| De Queen Sevier Co AP, AR | 22 mi | Mar 26 | Nov 5 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 5 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 71823
When is the last frost in 71823?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 71823 is March 24. For a more cautious planting date, use April 8, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 71823?
The average first fall freeze is November 11. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 30.
What hardiness zone is 71823?
ZIP 71823 is in USDA zone 8a (10 to 15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 71823 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
71865 Wilton 71846 Lockesburg 71820 Alleene 71851 Mineral Springs 71842 Horatio 71822 Ashdown 71859 Saratoga 71866 Winthrop
Other ZIP codes in Sevier County
71832 71841 71842 71846 All Sevier County frost dates · Arkansas frost dates
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