When to plant in Fayetteville, AR
USDA Zone 7aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Fayetteville, Arkansas — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 7a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Fayetteville, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
The average first fall frost in Fayetteville is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
FAYETTEVILLE EXP STN · 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 Fayetteville’s own odds, recorded at FAYETTEVILLE EXP STN.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 2 | Apr 16 | Mar 31 | Oct 8 | Oct 22 | Nov 3 |
| 32°F | Apr 22 | Apr 4 | Mar 18 | Oct 17 | Oct 31 | Nov 13 |
| 28°F | Apr 9 | Mar 24 | Mar 4 | Oct 26 | Nov 9 | Nov 27 |
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 Fayetteville, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 26 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.
Fayetteville planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Fayetteville, AR?
On average, the last spring frost in Fayetteville is around April 4 (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 Fayetteville, AR?
The first fall frost in Fayetteville typically arrives around October 31 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Fayetteville in?
Fayetteville is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. In zone 7a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Fayetteville?
There are roughly 210 frost-free days in Fayetteville (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 4 to the first fall frost near October 31.
When should I plant tomatoes in Fayetteville?
In Fayetteville, start tomato seeds indoors around February 7–February 21, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 11 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Fayetteville
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Fayetteville’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Springdale · 13 km
- Lowell · 21 km
- Rogers · 27 km
- Bentonville · 32 km
- Centerton · 34 km
- Siloam Springs · 35 km
- Bella Vista · 45 km
- Van Buren · 71 km
Frost dates recorded at FAYETTEVILLE EXP STN, 3 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 Fayetteville, AR — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00032444. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/arkansas/fayetteville.