Frost Dates for Poteau, OK 74953
Last spring frost March 31 · First fall frost October 31 · 214 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 74953 has about 12,400 people.
Long season: 214 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 18–April 14 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans October 14–November 16 (33 days).
Frost probability for 74953
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 14 | March 31 | March 18 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 14 | October 31 | November 16 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at FT SMITH RGNL AP (37.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 214-day season in Poteau
In Poteau (214 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 24 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 172 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 14. | Jul 1 |
| Pepper | Feb 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 172 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 14. | Jul 6 |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 9 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 256 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 10. | Aug 29 |
| Cucumber | Mar 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Beans | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Peas | — | Feb 3–Apr 14 | 277 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 277 available after Feb 3. | Aug 20 |
| Zucchini | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Onion | Jan 6 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 249 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 3–Mar 24 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 28 |
| Kale | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 249 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 3. | Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 263 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 263 available after Mar 3. | Aug 29 |
| Radish | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 29 |
| Beets | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 31 | 319 | overwinter: Plant Oct 31 to Nov 21; harvest the following summer. | Nov 21 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 24–Apr 21 | 270 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 186 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 7. | Jul 13 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 179 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 14. | Jun 18 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 228 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 24. | Aug 10 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 17 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 28 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 263 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 263 available after Mar 3. | Jul 30 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 179 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 14. | Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 172 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 14. | Jul 11 |
| Okra | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Basil | Feb 24 | Apr 21–Apr 21 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 3–Mar 24 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Parsley | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 214 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 7. | Aug 15 |
| Celery | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 214 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 7. | Jun 26 |
| Scallions | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 8 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 18 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 13 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 3 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 9 |
| Collards | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 8 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 172 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 14. | Jun 26 |
| Chives | Jan 6 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 228 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Oregano | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 228 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 6 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 214 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Sage | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 228 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 228 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Cosmos | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Lavender | Jan 6 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Melons | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 172 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 14. | Jun 26 |
| Mint | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 193 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 7. | Jul 30 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 14. | Jun 28 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 200 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 200 available after Mar 31. | Jul 25 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 179 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 7. | Jul 6 |
| Watermelon | Mar 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 179 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 7. | Jul 1 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Zinnias | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
Month by month in Poteau
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 6), Lavender (Jan 6), Onion (Jan 6), Rosemary (Jan 6), Celery (Jan 20), Collards (Jan 20), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 3), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 3), Cabbage (Feb 3), Lettuce (Feb 3), Sage (Feb 3), Swiss Chard (Feb 3), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 3), Beets (Feb 3), Dill (Feb 3), Peas (Feb 3), Radish (Feb 3), Spinach (Feb 3), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 24). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 3), Corn (Mar 3), Cosmos (Mar 3), Nasturtiums (Mar 3), Okra (Mar 3), Zinnias (Mar 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 3), Turnip (Mar 3), Carrots (Mar 10), Potatoes (Mar 17), Sunflowers (Mar 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 3), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 3), Cabbage (Mar 3), Collards (Mar 3), Kale (Mar 3), Lettuce (Mar 3), +12 more. Last frost around March 31. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 7), Pole Beans (Apr 7). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 7), Chives (Apr 7), Corn (Apr 7), Okra (Apr 7), Oregano (Apr 7), Parsley (Apr 7), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 18), Pumpkin (Jun 18), Cantaloupe (Jun 26), Celery (Jun 26), Melons (Jun 26), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 28). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jul 1), Watermelon (Jul 1), Pepper (Jul 6), Tomatillos (Jul 6), Eggplant (Jul 11), Corn (Jul 13), +3 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 4), Cosmos (Aug 4), Cucumber (Aug 4), Zinnias (Aug 4), Broccoli (Aug 5), Nasturtiums (Aug 9), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 4), Cilantro (Sep 4), Collards (Sep 8), Scallions (Sep 8), Bok Choy (Sep 9), Lettuce (Sep 9), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 31). First frost around October 31. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 21). |
| 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 Poteau, OK (ZIP 74953)?
The median last spring frost date for Poteau, OK (ZIP code 74953) is around March 31. 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 18; one in ten it runs past April 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Poteau, OK?
The median first fall frost date for Poteau, OK is around October 31. 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 14 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Poteau, OK?
The frost-free growing season in Poteau is about 214 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 Poteau (214 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 Poteau, OK?
Poteau, 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 Poteau, OK?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 24 and plant out Apr 14 in Poteau. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Poteau?
Two: plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 7.
When do I plant garlic in Poteau?
Oct 31 to Nov 21; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Poteau?
Yes: plant out Apr 14 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 1 for a fall crop.
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