Forrest City, AR planting zone & frost dates
Forrest City is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 23 and the first fall frost around November 7, for a growing season of about 231 days.
Planting calendar for Forrest City
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 23) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 12 – Jan 26 Transplant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 12 – Jan 26 Transplant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 12 – Jan 26 Transplant outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 12 – Jan 26 Transplant outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 Transplant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 12 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 7).
Useful for zone 8a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 3 | Mar 23 | Apr 8 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 27 | Nov 7 | Oct 24 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 8, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 24. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 9.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Forrest City
- 72335 zone 8a
- 72336 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Helena-West Helena zone 8a, last frost Mar 15
- West Memphis zone 8a, last frost Mar 19
- Marion zone 8a, last frost Mar 16
- Jonesboro zone 7b, last frost Apr 1
- Searcy zone 8a, last frost Mar 27
- Paragould zone 8a, last frost Mar 26
- Batesville zone 7b, last frost Mar 30
- Cabot zone 8a, last frost Apr 4
Questions
What growing zone is Forrest City, AR?
Forrest City is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Forrest City?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Forrest City is March 23. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 8.
When can I plant tomatoes in Forrest City?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 30 – Apr 6. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Wynne, AR (USC00038052), 27.4 km (17.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 79 m, based on 24 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.