Frost Dates for Mountain Home, AR 72653
Last spring frost April 19 · First fall frost October 15 · 179 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 72653 has about 29,600 people.
Moderate season: 179 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 3–May 3 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans September 29–October 31 (32 days).
Frost probability for 72653
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 3 | April 19 | April 3 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 29 | October 15 | October 31 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CALICO ROCK 2 WSW (32.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 179-day season in Mountain Home
In Mountain Home (179 frost-free days, a moderate 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 | Mar 15 | May 3–May 10 | 137 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 137 available after May 3. | Jun 15 |
| Pepper | Mar 8 | May 3–May 10 | 137 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 137 available after May 3. | Jun 20 |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 221 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 29. | Aug 13 |
| Cucumber | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Beans | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Peas | — | Feb 22–May 3 | 242 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 242 available after Feb 22. | Aug 4 |
| Zucchini | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Onion | Jan 25 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 214 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 22–Apr 12 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Kale | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 214 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 22. | Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 228 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 22. | Aug 13 |
| Radish | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Oct 22. | Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 15 | 284 | overwinter: Plant Oct 15 to Nov 5; harvest the following summer. | Nov 5 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 15–May 10 | 235 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 15; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 26. | Jun 27 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 5 | May 3–May 3 | 144 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 144 available after May 3. | Jun 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 193 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 12. | Jul 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 5 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 228 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 22. | Jul 14 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 144 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 144 available after May 3. | Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 137 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 137 available after May 3. | Jun 25 |
| Okra | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Basil | Mar 15 | May 10–May 10 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 22–Apr 12 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Parsley | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 26. | Jul 30 |
| Celery | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 10 | 179 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 26. | Jun 10 |
| Scallions | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 22 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Collards | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 137 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 137 available after May 3. | Jun 10 |
| Chives | Jan 25 | Apr 26–May 3 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Oregano | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 193 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 25 | Apr 26–May 3 | 179 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Sage | Feb 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 193 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Cosmos | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Lavender | Jan 25 | Apr 19–May 3 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 8 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Melons | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 137 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 137 available after May 3. | Jun 10 |
| Mint | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 158 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 26. | Jul 14 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 144 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 144 available after May 3. | Jun 12 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 165 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 19. | Jul 9 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after Apr 26. | Jun 20 |
| Watermelon | Apr 5 | Apr 26–May 3 | 144 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 144 available after Apr 26. | Jun 15 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Zinnias | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
Month by month in Mountain Home
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 25), Lavender (Jan 25), Onion (Jan 25), Rosemary (Jan 25). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 8), Collards (Feb 8), Kale (Feb 8), Oregano (Feb 8), Parsley (Feb 8), Scallions (Feb 8), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 22), Beets (Feb 22), Dill (Feb 22), Peas (Feb 22), Radish (Feb 22), Spinach (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 1), Calendula (Mar 8), Cauliflower (Mar 8), Marigolds (Mar 8), Pepper (Mar 8), Basil (Mar 15), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 8), Cilantro (Mar 22), Turnip (Mar 22), Carrots (Mar 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 22), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 22), Cabbage (Mar 22), Collards (Mar 22), Kale (Mar 22), Lettuce (Mar 22), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 15). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 5), Cantaloupe (Apr 5), Melons (Apr 5), Pumpkin (Apr 5), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 5), Watermelon (Apr 5), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 5), Sunflowers (Apr 19), Beans (Apr 26), Pole Beans (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 5), Swiss Chard (Apr 5), Bok Choy (Apr 12), Cauliflower (Apr 12), Cosmos (Apr 19), Lavender (Apr 19), +15 more. Last frost around April 19. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 3), Cantaloupe (May 3), Cucumber (May 3), Eggplant (May 3), Melons (May 3), Pepper (May 3), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 2), Pumpkin (Jun 2), Cantaloupe (Jun 10), Celery (Jun 10), Melons (Jun 10), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 12), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 9), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 14), Pole Beans (Jul 14), Basil (Jul 19), Cosmos (Jul 19), Cucumber (Jul 19), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 4), Cabbage (Aug 13), Carrots (Aug 13), Beets (Aug 14), Dill (Aug 14), Swiss Chard (Aug 14), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 2), Arugula (Sep 12), Spinach (Sep 12), Radish (Sep 13). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 15). First frost around October 15. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 5). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Mountain Home, AR (ZIP 72653)?
The median last spring frost date for Mountain Home, AR (ZIP code 72653) is around April 19. 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 April 3; one in ten it runs past May 3.
What is the first fall frost date in Mountain Home, AR?
The median first fall frost date for Mountain Home, AR is around October 15. 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 September 29 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Mountain Home, AR?
The frost-free growing season in Mountain Home is about 179 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 Mountain Home (179 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Mountain Home, AR?
Mountain Home, AR is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (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 Mountain Home, AR?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 15 and plant out May 3 in Mountain Home. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Mountain Home?
Two: plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22.
When do I plant garlic in Mountain Home?
Oct 15 to Nov 5; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Harrison (ZIP 72601) has 187 frost-free days, 8 more than Mountain Home (ZIP 72653). See Harrison ZIP 72601 frost dates
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