Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Fort Smith, Arkansas

Typical last spring frost March 25 (1 spring in 10 later than April 11). Typical first fall frost November 6 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 23). Growing season about 224 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until March 4 and fades out by April 11. It is unlikely from then until October 23, and likely again after November 21. The dashed lines are the typical dates, March 25 and November 6.

January

  • January 7 to February 4: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)
  • January 21 to February 18: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)

February

  • February 4 to 25: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)
  • February 11 to 25: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • February 18 to March 4: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)
  • February 25 to March 11: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • February 25 to March 11: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)

March

  • March 11 to 25: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • March 11 to 25: Cauliflower (plant out)
  • March 25: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)

April

  • April 8: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • April 8: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)

May

Nothing to start this month.

June

  • June 11 to 25: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)

July

  • July 1 to 15: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

August

  • August 10: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 14: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 15: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 19: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 20: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 24: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 3: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 13: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 23: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 23: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 24 to December 1: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Fort Smith Regional Airport (station USW00013964), 1 mile from the center of Fort Smith. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension GardenNotes #720 (spring), Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-334 (fall crops), University of Minnesota Extension (garlic). Spring bulbs: plant when the soil has cooled to about 50 to 55°F, until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension). Full details: https://lastfrostdate.com/frost-dates/arkansas/fort-smith/

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