Harman US

Frost Dates for East End, AR

Last spring frost
Mar 21
First fall frost
Nov 10
Growing season
234 days
Hardiness zone
8a

In an average year around East End, AR, the last spring frost (32°F) is about Mar 21 and the first fall frost is about Nov 10, giving roughly a 234-day growing season. To be safe most years, wait until Mar 2 before setting out tender plants.

Last spring frost

Dates the last frost of spring typically ends. Plant tender crops after the risk has passed for your comfort level.

Last spring frost - East End, AR
Frost intensity Early (10%) Average (50%) Late (90%)
Light (36°F) Apr 21 Apr 3 Mar 16
Freeze (32°F) Apr 6 Mar 21 Mar 2
Hard (28°F) Mar 26 Mar 8 Feb 20
Severe (24°F) Mar 15 Feb 26 Feb 1
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
°F 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
36°F Apr 21 Apr 13 Apr 9 Apr 6 Apr 3 Mar 31 Mar 27 Mar 23 Mar 16
32°F Apr 6 Apr 1 Mar 28 Mar 25 Mar 21 Mar 16 Mar 13 Mar 8 Mar 2
28°F Mar 26 Mar 19 Mar 15 Mar 12 Mar 8 Mar 4 Mar 1 Feb 26 Feb 20
24°F Mar 15 Mar 10 Mar 5 Mar 1 Feb 26 Feb 22 Feb 18 Feb 12 Feb 1
20°F Mar 7 Feb 28 Feb 21 Feb 15 Feb 10 Feb 4 Jan 30 Jan 24 Jan 14
16°F Feb 22 Feb 10 Feb 4 Jan 31 Jan 27 Jan 21 Jan 14 Jan 6 Dec 30

First fall frost

Dates the first frost of fall typically arrives. Count back by a crop's days-to-maturity to know your planting cutoff.

First fall frost - East End, AR
Frost intensity Early (10%) Average (50%) Late (90%)
Light (36°F) Oct 20 Oct 31 Nov 14
Freeze (32°F) Oct 29 Nov 10 Nov 25
Hard (28°F) Nov 6 Nov 21 Dec 8
Severe (24°F) Nov 15 Dec 3 Dec 27
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
°F 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
36°F Oct 20 Oct 23 Oct 26 Oct 29 Oct 31 Nov 2 Nov 5 Nov 8 Nov 14
32°F Oct 29 Nov 1 Nov 4 Nov 7 Nov 10 Nov 13 Nov 17 Nov 20 Nov 25
28°F Nov 6 Nov 10 Nov 15 Nov 18 Nov 21 Nov 24 Nov 28 Dec 2 Dec 8
24°F Nov 15 Nov 21 Nov 26 Nov 30 Dec 3 Dec 7 Dec 12 Dec 19 Dec 27
20°F Nov 29 Dec 5 Dec 11 Dec 17 Dec 22 Dec 28 Jan 1 Jan 6 Jan 16
16°F Dec 10 Dec 19 Dec 27 Jan 1 Jan 3 Jan 8 Jan 15 Jan 21 Feb 2

Growing season is measured at 32°F with about 50% probability. Hardiness zone from the 2023 USDA map; frost normals from NOAA 1991-2020.

Where this data comes from

These dates are computed from the nearest official weather station with long-term records: Little Rock Ap Adams Fld, Ar, about 12.4 miles away@if(!empty($station['elevation_ft'])), at 258 ft elevation. The further the station and the greater the elevation difference from your yard, the more your local frost timing can vary.

@endif
How we calculate these dates

Frost and freeze dates come from the NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 30-year averages for each weather station. A date shown at the 50% level is the median: in half of years the frost falls on or before it. The 10% and 90% columns show the early and late ends of the range, so you can plant on the odds you're comfortable with. These are long-term averages, not a forecast for this year - always check your local outlook before planting.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 Climate Normals (public domain). Harman is not affiliated with or endorsed by NOAA.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in East End, AR?

On average, the last spring frost (32°F) around East End, AR is about Mar 21. In cooler years it can run later, so for a safer bet many gardeners wait until Mar 2.

When is the first frost in the fall?

The first fall frost around East End, AR typically arrives about Nov 10. Count back by a crop's days to maturity to find the latest date you can plant it.

When can I plant tomatoes and other tender crops?

Tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil are damaged by frost, so wait until the last spring frost has passed - around Mar 21 on average, or Mar 2 to be safe most years.

How long is the growing season here?

The frost-free growing season (between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) is about 234 days in a typical year.

Are these dates a forecast for this year?

No. They are 30-year averages from the NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals, not a prediction for the current year. Use them for planning and always check your local weather forecast before planting or protecting crops.

Local weather for 72103 Planting calendar → Arkansas frost dates →

Data source: NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals · Page updated Aug 4, 2026