Fall in zone 7bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 72617 (Big Flat, 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, Calico Rock 2 WSW, AR (14 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 1450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)196 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7b5 to 10°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
68°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 65°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Batesville 8 WNW (37 mi).
4-inch depth
68°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 67°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Batesville 8 WNW (37 mi).
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 72617 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 68°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
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 30 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
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 28: 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 30 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 14 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 29 |
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 12 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 28 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 8 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 14 | Oct 28 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 1 | Nov 5 |
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 72617
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 14) and first fall frost (Oct 28). 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 17–Mar 3 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 3–17 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 3–17 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 24–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 17–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–23 (transplant) Aug 19–Sep 16 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–23 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 5–Sep 2 (transplant) Jul 22–Aug 19 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 17–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 17–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 5–Sep 2 (transplant) Jul 22–Aug 19 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 3–17 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Jul 22–Aug 19 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 3–17 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Jul 22–Aug 19 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 22–Aug 19 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Jul 8–29 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–16 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 17–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–30 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 17–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–16 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 21 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 17–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 24–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 5–19 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 10–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 16–30 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 17–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 24–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 5–19 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 19–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 16–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 16–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Jul 8–22 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 17–24 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 17–24 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 17–24 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 17–24 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 17–24 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 3–17 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Apr 21–28 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 3–17 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 31–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–16 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 2–16 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Aug 19–Sep 16 (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 April 14 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Calico Rock 2 WSW, AR (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00031132), elevation 350 ft, 13.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall, AR | 17 mi | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
| Gilbert, AR | 19 mi | Apr 14 | Oct 22 |
| Mtn View, AR | 20 mi | Apr 2 | Oct 31 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 12 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 72617
When is the last frost in 72617?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 72617 is April 14. For a more cautious planting date, use April 29, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 72617?
The average first fall freeze is October 28. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 12.
What hardiness zone is 72617?
ZIP 72617 is in USDA zone 7b (5 to 10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 72617 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
72639 72663 72533 Fifty-Six 72658 Norfork 72680 72519 Calico Rock 72051 Fox 72634 Flippin
Other ZIP codes in Baxter County
72519 72537 72544 72623 72626 72635 72642 72651 72653 72658 All Baxter County frost dates · Arkansas frost dates
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