Calion L&d, AR Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Calion L&d garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 18
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 7
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
234 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 28 Mar 18 Apr 6
First fall frost Nov 27 Nov 7 Oct 24
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 4 · first Nov 21

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CALION L&D station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Calion L&d

Computed from Calion L&d's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 21 – Feb 4 Mar 25 – Apr 1
🫑 Peppers Jan 7 – Jan 21 Apr 1 – Apr 8
🥬 Lettuce Feb 4 – Feb 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4 Feb 18 – Mar 18
🫛 Peas Feb 4 – Feb 18
🥕 Carrots Feb 25 – Mar 18
🥦 Broccoli Jan 28 – Feb 11 Feb 25 – Mar 11
🥬 Kale Feb 4 – Feb 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4 Feb 18 – Mar 4
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 18 – Feb 25 Mar 25 – Apr 1 Mar 25 – Apr 1
🥒 Zucchini Feb 18 – Feb 25 Mar 25 – Apr 1 Mar 25 – Apr 1
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 25 – Apr 1
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 25 – Apr 1
🌿 Basil Feb 4 – Feb 18 Mar 25 – Apr 1 Apr 1 – Apr 8
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 26 – Oct 24

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Calion L&d's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Calion L&d

With roughly 234 frost-free days, Calion L&d gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 7 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Calion L&d, AR?

The average last spring frost in Calion L&d is around Mar 18, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Calion L&d, AR?

The average first fall frost in Calion L&d arrives around Nov 7. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Calion L&d?

About 234 frost-free days on average, from Mar 18 to Nov 7. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Calion L&d in?

USDA zone 8a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.