Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for Monticello, AR

Monticello, AR is in USDA zone 8b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost November 12.

Monticello on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
ZIP codes2
Last frostMar 18
First frostNov 12
Growing season238 days

8b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Monticello, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Oct 28
Growing season238 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 4 and returns around November 25.

From the NOAA station Monticello Municipal Airport, AR, elevation 289 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Monticello

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 17 – Oct 1
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 29 – Dec 3
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 18) and first fall frost (Nov 12) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 71657 came on Feb 11 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 8b in Arkansas

521 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arkansas, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 71

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Fbald cypress130 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −18 °Fbitternut hickory75 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −47 °F

Shrubs 98

alternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 175

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 154

alkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °F

Vines 14

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Monticello, AR.

Soil in Monticello, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71657 is Sacul — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sacul soils, 3 to 8 percent slopes, eroded.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 71657; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Monticello, AR

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days82days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights51nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,874base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 23 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 55 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation55.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 54 °F, low 34 °F 54°34° JanFebruary: average high 58 °F, low 38 °F 58°38° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 45 °F 67°45° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 53 °F 75°53° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 70 °F 89°70° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 73 °F 92°73° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 72 °F 92°72° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° SepOctober: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 43 °F 65°43° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 37 °F 56°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 4.91 in precipitation 4.9 JanFebruary: 5.37 in precipitation 5.4 FebMarch: 5.37 in precipitation 5.4 MarApril: 6.27 in precipitation 6.3 AprMay: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 MayJune: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 JunJuly: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.19 in precipitation 3.2 SepOctober: 4.75 in precipitation 4.8 OctNovember: 4.13 in precipitation 4.1 NovDecember: 5.93 in precipitation 5.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Monticello Municipal Airport, AR (2 mi away); precipitation: Monticello 1.6 Wnw, AR (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Monticello

716558b
15 to 20 °F
716578b
15 to 20 °F

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about Monticello

What planting zone is Monticello, AR?

Monticello, AR is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map (8b: 15 to 20 °F).

When is the last frost in Monticello, AR?

The median last spring frost is March 18 and the median first fall frost is November 12 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Monticello Municipal Airport station).

When can I plant a garden in Monticello, AR?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 4 – Feb 25; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 25, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Monticello, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 23 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Monticello, AR get?

About 55.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).