When to plant in El Dorado, AR
USDA Zone 8bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for El Dorado, Arkansas — all computed from El Dorado's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 8b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in El Dorado, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
EL DORADO S AR RGNL AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are El Dorado’s own odds, recorded at EL DORADO S AR RGNL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 22 | Apr 5 | Mar 18 | Oct 15 | Oct 29 | Nov 11 |
| 32°F | Apr 9 | Mar 24 | Mar 1 | Oct 24 | Nov 7 | Nov 26 |
| 28°F | Mar 27 | Mar 9 | Feb 17 | Nov 2 | Nov 20 | Dec 9 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in El Dorado, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 44 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
El Dorado planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in El Dorado, AR?
On average, the last spring frost in El Dorado is around March 24 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in El Dorado, AR?
The first fall frost in El Dorado typically arrives around November 7 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is El Dorado in?
El Dorado is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. In zone 8b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in El Dorado?
There are roughly 228 frost-free days in El Dorado (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 24 to the first fall frost near November 7.
When should I plant tomatoes in El Dorado?
In El Dorado, start tomato seeds indoors around January 27–February 10, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 31 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in El Dorado
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to El Dorado’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Camden · 42 km
- Magnolia · 53 km
- Ruston · 76 km
- Claiborne · 87 km
- Minden · 88 km
- West Monroe · 92 km
- Monroe · 95 km
- Arkadelphia · 108 km
Frost dates recorded at EL DORADO S AR RGNL AP, 14 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in El Dorado, AR — Frost Dates & Zone 8b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00093992. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/arkansas/el-dorado.