North Little Rock, AR planting zone & frost dates
North 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 North 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 North Little Rock
- 72114 zone 8a
- 72115 zone 8a
- 72116 zone 8a
- 72117 zone 8a
- 72118 zone 8a
- 72119 zone 8a
- 72124 zone 8a
- 72190 zone 8a
- 72199 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- 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
- Cabot zone 8a, last frost Apr 4
- Conway zone 8a, last frost Apr 2
- Benton zone 8a, last frost Mar 24
Questions
What growing zone is North Little Rock, AR?
North 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 North Little Rock?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in North Little Rock is March 21. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 6.
When can I plant tomatoes in North 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), 5.4 km (3.4 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.