When to plant in Little Rock, AR
USDA Zone 8aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Little Rock, Arkansas — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 8a, Little Rock supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD · 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 Little Rock’s own odds, recorded at LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 21 | Apr 3 | Mar 16 | Oct 20 | Oct 31 | Nov 14 |
| 32°F | Apr 6 | Mar 21 | Mar 2 | Oct 29 | Nov 10 | Nov 25 |
| 28°F | Mar 26 | Mar 8 | Feb 20 | Nov 6 | Nov 21 | Dec 8 |
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 Little Rock, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 17 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.
Little Rock planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Little Rock, AR?
On average, the last spring frost in Little Rock is around March 21 (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 Little Rock, AR?
In Little Rock, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around November 10 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Little Rock in?
Little Rock is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Little Rock?
Little Rock has about 234 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (March 21) and first fall frost (November 10).
When should I plant tomatoes in Little Rock?
For Little Rock, sow tomatoes indoors about January 24–February 7 and move the seedlings out around March 28, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Little Rock
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Little Rock’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- North Little Rock · 13 km
- Maumelle · 15 km
- Bryant · 17 km
- Sherwood · 20 km
- Benton · 26 km
- Jacksonville · 27 km
- Conway · 40 km
- Cabot · 41 km
Frost dates recorded at LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, 11 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 Little Rock, AR — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00013963. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/arkansas/little-rock.