Frost Dates for Mcalester, OK 74501
Last spring frost March 28 · First fall frost November 2 · 219 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 74501 has about 28,600 people.
Long season: 219 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 11–April 15 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans October 15–November 21 (37 days).
Frost probability for 74501
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 15 | March 28 | March 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 15 | November 2 | November 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MCALESTER RGNL AP (11.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 219-day season in Mcalester
In Mcalester (219 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 11. | Jul 3 |
| Pepper | Feb 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 177 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 11. | Jul 8 |
| Lettuce | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 11 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 261 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 261 available after Mar 7. | Aug 31 |
| Cucumber | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Beans | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Peas | — | Jan 31–Apr 11 | 282 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 282 available after Jan 31. | Aug 22 |
| Zucchini | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Onion | Jan 3 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 254 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 254 available after Feb 28. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 31–Mar 21 | 296 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 30 |
| Kale | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 254 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 254 available after Feb 28. | Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 268 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 268 available after Feb 28. | Aug 31 |
| Radish | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Oct 1 |
| Beets | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 240 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 2 | 324 | overwinter: Plant Nov 2 to Nov 23; harvest the following summer. | Nov 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 21–Apr 18 | 275 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 21; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 4. | Jul 15 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 11 | 184 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 11. | Jun 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 233 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 21. | Aug 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 14 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 296 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 268 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 268 available after Feb 28. | Aug 1 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 184 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 11. | Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 177 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 11. | Jul 13 |
| Okra | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Basil | Feb 21 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 28–Mar 21 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Parsley | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 4. | Aug 17 |
| Celery | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 219 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 4. | Jun 28 |
| Scallions | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 14–Feb 28 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 28 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 11 |
| Collards | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 177 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 11. | Jun 28 |
| Chives | Jan 3 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 233 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 233 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Oregano | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 233 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 233 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 3 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 219 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Sage | Jan 31 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 233 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 233 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 233 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 233 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Cosmos | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Lavender | Jan 3 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 240 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Melons | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 177 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 11. | Jun 28 |
| Mint | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 240 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 198 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 4. | Aug 1 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 11. | Jun 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 205 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 28. | Jul 27 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 31 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 4. | Jul 8 |
| Watermelon | Mar 14 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 4. | Jul 3 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Zinnias | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
Month by month in Mcalester
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 3), Lavender (Jan 3), Onion (Jan 3), Rosemary (Jan 3), Celery (Jan 17), Collards (Jan 17), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 31), Beets (Jan 31), Dill (Jan 31), Peas (Jan 31), Radish (Jan 31), Spinach (Jan 31). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 7), Calendula (Feb 14), Cauliflower (Feb 14), Marigolds (Feb 14), Pepper (Feb 14), Basil (Feb 21), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 14), Cilantro (Feb 28), Turnip (Feb 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 28), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 28), Cabbage (Feb 28), Collards (Feb 28), Kale (Feb 28), Lettuce (Feb 28), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 21). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 7), Butternut Squash (Mar 14), Cantaloupe (Mar 14), Melons (Mar 14), Pumpkin (Mar 14), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 7), Potatoes (Mar 14), Sunflowers (Mar 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 14), Swiss Chard (Mar 14), Bok Choy (Mar 21), Cauliflower (Mar 21), Cosmos (Mar 28), Lavender (Mar 28), +4 more. Last frost around March 28. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 4), Pole Beans (Apr 4). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 4), Chives (Apr 4), Corn (Apr 4), Okra (Apr 4), Oregano (Apr 4), Parsley (Apr 4), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 20), Pumpkin (Jun 20), Cantaloupe (Jun 28), Celery (Jun 28), Melons (Jun 28), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 30). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jul 3), Watermelon (Jul 3), Pepper (Jul 8), Tomatillos (Jul 8), Eggplant (Jul 13), Corn (Jul 15), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 1), Pole Beans (Aug 1), Basil (Aug 6), Cosmos (Aug 6), Cucumber (Aug 6), Zinnias (Aug 6), +12 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Beets (Sep 1), Dill (Sep 1), Swiss Chard (Sep 1), Calendula (Sep 6), Cilantro (Sep 6), Collards (Sep 10), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Radish (Oct 1). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 2). First frost around November 2. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 23). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Mcalester, OK (ZIP 74501)?
The median last spring frost date for Mcalester, OK (ZIP code 74501) is around March 28. 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 11; one in ten it runs past April 15.
What is the first fall frost date in Mcalester, OK?
The median first fall frost date for Mcalester, OK is around November 2. 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 15 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Mcalester, OK?
The frost-free growing season in Mcalester is about 219 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 Mcalester (219 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 Mcalester, OK?
Mcalester, OK is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (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 Mcalester, OK?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 21 and plant out Apr 11 in Mcalester. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Mcalester?
Two: plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9.
When do I plant garlic in Mcalester?
Nov 2 to Nov 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Mcalester?
Yes: plant out Apr 11 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 3 for a fall crop.
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