When is the last frost in Little Rock, AR?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Little Rock is around March 21, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Little Rock Ap Adams Fld, AR station (2.8 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Little Rock?

The average first fall frost in Little Rock, AR is around November 10, giving roughly a 234-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Little Rock, AR?

Little Rock is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 10 to 15°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Little Rock?

In Little Rock, AR the warmest month is July (avg high 91.7°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 30.9°F). It averages about 50.4″ of precipitation a year and 3.8″ of snow.

Home › Arkansas › Little Rock

Little Rock, AR Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8a · ZIP 72201 · elevation 79′ · NOAA & USDA data

Little Rock is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (winters can dip to 10 to 15°F), with a growing season of about 234 days between the average last spring frost (March 21) and first fall frost (November 10). The warmest month is July (avg high 91.7°F); the coldest is January (avg low 30.9°F). It averages 50.4″ of precipitation a year and 3.8″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 10 to 15°F

Last spring frost

March 21

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 10

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

234 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 91.7°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Little Rock

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Little Rock Ap Adams Fld, AR (2.7 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	50.5	30.9	40.7	3.5	1.1
February	55.2	34.2	44.7	4	1.6
March	63.7	41.8	52.7	5	0.5
April	72.8	50.1	61.4	5.6	0
May	80.5	59.3	69.9	5.1	0
June	88.2	67.7	78	3.6	0
July	91.7	71.2	81.4	3.3	0
August	91.5	70.1	80.8	3.2	0
September	85.1	62.9	74	3	0
October	74.2	50.9	62.6	4.5	0
November	61.9	40.2	51.1	4.7	0
December	52.6	33.3	43	5.1	0.6

What to plant when in Little Rock

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 7 · Transplant out: March 28
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 24 · Transplant out: April 4
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: March 28
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: March 28
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: March 28
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: March 28
Basil	warm	Transplant out: March 28
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 14 · Sow (fall): September 15
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 7 · Sow (fall): September 15
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): February 21 · Sow (fall): September 15
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): February 28 · Sow (fall): September 1
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 7
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): February 28 · Sow (fall): September 1
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): February 21
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 7
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): February 21 · Sow (fall): September 29

Dates are computed from Little Rock's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Arkansas

North Little Rock, AR Conway, AR Pine Bluff, AR Jonesboro, AR Fort Smith, AR Fayetteville, AR Rogers, AR Springdale, AR

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Little Rock Ap Adams Fld, AR, 2.8 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Little Rock Ap Adams Fld, AR, 2.7 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.