Little Rock, AR planting zone & frost dates
Little Rock is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 21 and the first fall frost around November 10, for a growing season of about 234 days.
Planting calendar for Little Rock
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 21) 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 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 10 – Jan 24 Transplant outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 10 – Jan 24 Transplant outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 10 – Jan 24 Transplant outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 10 – Jan 24 Transplant outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 4 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 4 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 Transplant outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 4 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 15 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 10).
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 2 | Mar 21 | Apr 6 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 25 | Nov 10 | Oct 29 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 6, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 29. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 8.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Little Rock
- 72201 zone 8a
- 72202 zone 8a
- 72203 zone 8a
- 72204 zone 8a
- 72205 zone 8a
- 72206 zone 8a
- 72207 zone 8a
- 72209 zone 8a
- 72210 zone 8a
- 72211 zone 8a
- 72212 zone 8a
- 72214 zone 8a
- 72215 zone 8a
- 72216 zone 8a
- 72217 zone 8a
- 72219 zone 8a
- 72221 zone 8a
- 72222 zone 8a
- 72223 zone 8a
- 72225 zone 8a
- 72227 zone 8a
- 72231 zone 8a
- 72255 zone 8a
- 72260 zone 8a
- 72295 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- North Little Rock zone 8a, last frost Mar 21
- Sherwood zone 8a, last frost Mar 16
- Maumelle zone 8a, last frost Apr 1
- Jacksonville zone 8a, last frost Mar 16
- Bryant zone 8a, last frost Mar 24
- Benton zone 8a, last frost Mar 24
- Cabot zone 8a, last frost Apr 4
- Conway zone 8a, last frost Apr 2
Questions
What growing zone is Little Rock, AR?
Little Rock 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 Little Rock?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Little Rock is March 21. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 6.
When can I plant tomatoes in Little Rock?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 28 – Apr 4. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Little Rock Ap Adams Fld, AR (USW00013963), 5.1 km (3.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 79 m, based on 30 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.