Mena, AR Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Apr 5
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 1
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
210 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 24
First fall frost Nov 16 Nov 1 Oct 18
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 22 · first Nov 10

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MENA 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 Mena

Computed from Mena's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 8 – Feb 22 Apr 12 – Apr 19
🫑 Peppers Jan 25 – Feb 8 Apr 19 – Apr 26
🥬 Lettuce Feb 22 – Mar 8 Mar 8 – Mar 22 Mar 8 – Apr 5
🫛 Peas Feb 22 – Mar 8
🥕 Carrots Mar 15 – Apr 5
🥦 Broccoli Feb 15 – Mar 1 Mar 15 – Mar 29
🥬 Kale Feb 22 – Mar 8 Mar 8 – Mar 22 Mar 8 – Mar 22
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 8 – Mar 15 Apr 12 – Apr 19 Apr 12 – Apr 19
🥒 Zucchini Mar 8 – Mar 15 Apr 12 – Apr 19 Apr 12 – Apr 19
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 12 – Apr 19
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 12 – Apr 19
🌿 Basil Feb 22 – Mar 8 Apr 12 – Apr 19 Apr 19 – Apr 26
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 20 – Oct 18

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 Mena's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Mena

With roughly 210 frost-free days, Mena 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 1 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Mena, AR?

The average last spring frost in Mena is around Apr 5, 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 Mena, AR?

The average first fall frost in Mena arrives around Nov 1. 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 Mena?

About 210 frost-free days on average, from Apr 5 to Nov 1. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Mena in?

USDA zone 7b 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.