Frost Dates for Malvern, AR 72104

Last spring frost April 2 · First fall frost November 4 · 216 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a

ZIP 72104 has about 23,600 people.

Long season: 216 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 19–April 16 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans October 20–November 18 (29 days).

Frost probability for 72104

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)April 16April 2March 19
Fall (first frost)October 20November 4November 18

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MALVERN (5.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 216-day season in Malvern

In Malvern (216 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoFeb 26Apr 16–Apr 23174fits: 80 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 16.Jul 5
PepperFeb 19Apr 16–Apr 23174fits: 75 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 16.Jul 10
LettuceFeb 5Mar 5–Mar 12251two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 11.Sep 13
Carrots—Mar 12–Mar 19258fits: 70 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 12.Sep 2
CucumberMar 12Apr 16–Apr 23188two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21.Aug 8
Beans—Apr 9–Apr 23202two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28.Aug 15
Peas—Feb 5–Apr 16279fits: 65 days to maturity, 279 available after Feb 5.Aug 24
ZucchiniMar 19Apr 16–Apr 23188two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21.Aug 13
OnionJan 8Mar 5–Mar 19251fits: 100 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 5.—
Spinach—Feb 5–Mar 26293two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 25.Oct 2
KaleJan 22Mar 5–Mar 19265two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 25.Sep 17
BroccoliFeb 5Mar 5–Mar 19251fits: 80 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 5.Aug 9
CabbageFeb 5Mar 5–Mar 19265fits: 70 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 5.Sep 2
Radish—Feb 5–Apr 30279two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Nov 11.Oct 3
Beets—Feb 5–Apr 30279two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11.Sep 3
Potatoes—Mar 19–Mar 26237fits: 90 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 19.—
Garlic—Nov 4321overwinter: Plant Nov 4 to Nov 25; harvest the following summer.Nov 25
Strawberry—Feb 26–Apr 23272perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 26; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornMar 5Apr 9–Apr 16188fits: 75 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 9.Jul 17
PumpkinMar 19Apr 16–Apr 16181fits: 100 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 16.Jun 22
CauliflowerFeb 19Mar 26–Apr 9230fits: 75 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 26.Aug 14
Swiss ChardFeb 5Mar 19–Mar 19237two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11.Sep 3
Arugula—Feb 5–Apr 30293two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 25.Oct 2
Brussel SproutsFeb 5Mar 5–Mar 19265fits: 100 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 5.Aug 3
Butternut SquashMar 19Apr 16–Apr 23181fits: 100 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 16.Jun 22
EggplantFeb 12Apr 16–Apr 23174fits: 70 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 16.Jul 15
OkraMar 5Apr 9–Apr 16195two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21.Aug 13
BasilFeb 26Apr 23–Apr 23181two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21.Aug 8
Cilantro—Mar 5–Mar 26251two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11.Sep 8
ParsleyJan 22Apr 9–Apr 16216fits: 70 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 9.Aug 19
CeleryJan 22Apr 9–Apr 23216fits: 120 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 9.Jun 30
ScallionsJan 22Mar 5–Mar 19265two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 25.Sep 12
Turnip—Mar 5–Mar 19265two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 25.Sep 22
Kohlrabi—Feb 19–Mar 5279two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 25.Sep 17
Bok ChoyMar 5Mar 26–Apr 2230two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 11.Sep 13
CollardsJan 22Mar 5–Mar 19265two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 25.Sep 12
CantaloupeMar 19Apr 16–Apr 23174fits: 85 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 16.Jun 30
ChivesJan 8Apr 9–Apr 16230fits: 90 days to maturity, 230 available after Apr 9.—
Dill—Feb 5–Apr 30279two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11.Sep 3
OreganoJan 22Apr 9–Apr 16230fits: 80 days to maturity, 230 available after Apr 9.—
RosemaryJan 8Apr 9–Apr 16216fits: 80 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 9.—
SageFeb 5Apr 9–Apr 16230fits: 75 days to maturity, 230 available after Apr 9.—
ThymeJan 22Apr 9–Apr 16230fits: 90 days to maturity, 230 available after Apr 9.—
CalendulaFeb 19Mar 19–Apr 2237two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11.Sep 8
CosmosMar 5Apr 2–Apr 16202two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21.Aug 8
LavenderJan 8Apr 2–Apr 16237fits: 90 days to maturity, 237 available after Apr 2.—
MarigoldsFeb 19Apr 2–Apr 9202two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21.Aug 18
MelonsMar 19Apr 16–Apr 23174fits: 85 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 16.Jun 30
Mint—Apr 2–Apr 16237fits: 90 days to maturity, 237 available after Apr 2.—
NasturtiumsMar 5Apr 2–Apr 9202two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21.Aug 13
Pole Beans—Apr 9–Apr 23195fits: 65 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 9.Aug 3
Spaghetti SquashMar 19Apr 16–Apr 23181fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 16.Jul 2
Sunflowers—Apr 2–Apr 16202fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 2.Jul 29
TomatillosFeb 5Apr 9–Apr 16181fits: 75 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 9.Jul 10
WatermelonMar 19Apr 9–Apr 16181fits: 80 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 9.Jul 5
Yellow SquashMar 19Apr 16–Apr 23188two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21.Aug 13
ZinniasMar 5Apr 2–Apr 16202two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21.Aug 8

Month by month in Malvern

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryStart indoors: Chives (Jan 8), Lavender (Jan 8), Onion (Jan 8), Rosemary (Jan 8), Celery (Jan 22), Collards (Jan 22), +5 more.
FebruaryStart indoors: Broccoli (Feb 5), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 5), Cabbage (Feb 5), Lettuce (Feb 5), Sage (Feb 5), Swiss Chard (Feb 5), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 5), Beets (Feb 5), Dill (Feb 5), Peas (Feb 5), Radish (Feb 5), Spinach (Feb 5), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 26).
MarchStart indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 5), Corn (Mar 5), Cosmos (Mar 5), Nasturtiums (Mar 5), Okra (Mar 5), Zinnias (Mar 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 5), Turnip (Mar 5), Carrots (Mar 12), Potatoes (Mar 19). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 5), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 5), Cabbage (Mar 5), Collards (Mar 5), Kale (Mar 5), Lettuce (Mar 5), +6 more.
AprilDirect sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 2), Beans (Apr 9), Pole Beans (Apr 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 2), Lavender (Apr 2), Marigolds (Apr 2), Mint (Apr 2), Nasturtiums (Apr 2), Zinnias (Apr 2), +23 more. Last frost around April 2.
MayFrost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini.
JuneLast sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 22), Pumpkin (Jun 22), Cantaloupe (Jun 30), Celery (Jun 30), Melons (Jun 30).
JulyLast sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jul 2), Tomato (Jul 5), Watermelon (Jul 5), Pepper (Jul 10), Tomatillos (Jul 10), Eggplant (Jul 15), +2 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 3), Pole Beans (Aug 3), Basil (Aug 8), Cosmos (Aug 8), Cucumber (Aug 8), Zinnias (Aug 8), +10 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 2), Carrots (Sep 2), Beets (Sep 3), Dill (Sep 3), Swiss Chard (Sep 3), Calendula (Sep 8), +8 more.
OctoberLast sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 2), Spinach (Oct 2), Radish (Oct 3).
NovemberDirect sow from: Garlic (Nov 4). First frost around November 4. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 25).
DecemberHarvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last frost date for Malvern, AR (ZIP 72104)?

The median last spring frost date for Malvern, AR (ZIP code 72104) is around April 2. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 19; one in ten it runs past April 16.

What is the first fall frost date in Malvern, AR?

The median first fall frost date for Malvern, AR is around November 4. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 20 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Malvern, AR?

The frost-free growing season in Malvern is about 216 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Malvern (216 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

What USDA hardiness zone is Malvern, AR?

Malvern, AR is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.

When should I start tomatoes indoors in Malvern, AR?

Start tomatoes indoors Feb 26 and plant out Apr 16 in Malvern. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Malvern?

Two: plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 11.

When do I plant garlic in Malvern?

Nov 4 to Nov 25; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Can I get two tomato crops in Malvern?

Yes: plant out Apr 16 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 5 for a fall crop.

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