Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 71665 — Rison, AR

ZIP code 71665 (Rison, Cleveland County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost November 14.

Where ZIP 71665 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostMar 17

First frostNov 14

2012 zone8a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Rison, 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 Rison, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 14median — 10% chance by Oct 30

Growing season241 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 2 and returns around November 28.

From the NOAA station Rison, AR — 4 miles away, elevation 279 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 71665

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 24

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 19 – Oct 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 31 – Dec 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 17) and first fall frost (Nov 14) 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 71665 came on Feb 13 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12).

average
Feb 122026
Feb 13

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 8a in Arkansas

516 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arkansas, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Rison, AR.

Soil in Rison, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71665 is Caddo — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Caddo silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes.

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 71665; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rison, AR

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days71days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights52nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,591base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 25 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 53 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation57.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rison, AR (4 mi away); precipitation: Fordyce, AR (17 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

716528a

Kingsland, AR · 11 mi

716608a

New Edinburg, AR · 12 mi

716038a

Pine Bluff, AR · 13 mi

716138b

Pine Bluff, AR · 16 mi

716678b

Star City, AR · 17 mi

717488a

Ivan, AR · 17 mi

720578a

Grapevine, AR · 18 mi

716788b

Yorktown, AR · 19 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 71665

What planting zone is ZIP code 71665?

ZIP code 71665 (Rison, AR) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Rison, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71665 is March 17; after April 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rison station.

When is the first frost in Rison, AR?

The median first fall frost near 71665 is November 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 241 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71665?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 20 – Feb 3 and set transplants outside around Mar 24 – Apr 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71665 get?

About 57.6 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fordyce station).

How hot do summers get in Rison, AR?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 71 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71665 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Caddo at the center of ZIP 71665: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Rison, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71665 came on Feb 13 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rison, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 71665 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.