McAlester, OK planting zone & frost dates

McAlester is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 31 and the first fall frost around November 3, for a growing season of about 216 days.

USDA hardiness zone7bavg. extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F

Average last spring frostMarch 3190% chance of no frost after April 18

Average first fall frostNovember 310% chance of frost by October 20

Growing season216 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for McAlester

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 31) 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: Feb 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 14 – Apr 21
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 14 – Apr 21
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17
Peas	Sow outdoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17
Beans	Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 8 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 3).

Useful for zone 7b 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 11	Mar 31	Apr 18
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Nov 19	Nov 3	Oct 20

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 18, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 20. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 15.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in McAlester

74501 zone 7b
74502 zone 7b

Nearby cities

Okmulgee zone 7b, last frost Apr 8
Muskogee zone 7b, last frost Apr 7
Ada zone 7b, last frost Apr 2
Bixby zone 7b, last frost Apr 1
Glenpool zone 7b, last frost Mar 30
Jenks zone 7b, last frost Mar 30
Durant zone 8a, last frost Mar 31
Broken Arrow zone 7b, last frost Apr 1

All cities in Oklahoma → · Other zone 7b cities →

Questions

What growing zone is McAlester, OK?

McAlester is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b (average extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.

When is the last frost in McAlester?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in McAlester is March 31. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 18.

When can I plant tomatoes in McAlester?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 7 – Apr 14. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Mcalester Rgnl Ap, OK (USW00093950), 5.8 km (3.6 mi) from the city center, elevation 235 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.