Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for Norfork, AR

Norfork, AR is in USDA zones 7a to 7b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost October 28.

Norfork 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.

Zones7a–7b0 to 10 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostApr 14

First frostOct 28

Growing season196 days

7a 1 ZIP 7b 1 ZIP

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Norfork, AR…

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 Norfork, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 14median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 29only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 12

Growing season196 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Calico Rock 2 Wsw, AR, elevation 351 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 Norfork

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 24

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 14) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 72659 came on Feb 18 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1).

average
Mar 12026
Feb 18

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 7a in Arkansas

501 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arkansas, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Norfork, AR.

Soil in Norfork, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72659 is Arkana — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter69%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Arkana-Moko complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes, very rocky.

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 72659; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Norfork, AR

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days45days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights100nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,023base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 37 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 42 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation48 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Calico Rock 2 Wsw, AR (10 mi away); precipitation: Norfork 1.2 Nnw, AR (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Norfork

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about Norfork

What planting zone is Norfork, AR?

Norfork, AR is in USDA hardiness zones 7a to 7b on the 2023 map (7a: 0 to 5 °F; 7b: 5 to 10 °F).

When is the last frost in Norfork, AR?

The median last spring frost is April 14 and the median first fall frost is October 28 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Calico Rock 2 Wsw station).

When can I plant a garden in Norfork, AR?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 3 – Mar 24; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 21, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Norfork, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Norfork, AR get?

About 48 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).