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

Planting zone for 71677 — Winchester, AR

ZIP code 71677 (Winchester, Drew County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost November 14.

Where ZIP 71677 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 12

First frostNov 14

2012 zone8a

Was 8a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Winchester, 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 Winchester, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 12median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

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

Growing season245 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 2 and returns around November 27.

From the NOAA station Dumas, AR — 9 miles away, elevation 164 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 71677

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

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 12) 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 71677 came on Feb 12 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10).

average
Feb 102026
Feb 12

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.

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 Winchester, AR.

Soil in Winchester, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71677 is Perry — clay, poorly drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

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

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Perry clay, 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 71677; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Winchester, AR

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days74days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights42nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,829base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 24 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 54 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51.2 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: Dumas, AR (9 mi away); precipitation: Dumas, AR (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Monticello, AR · 17 mi

716388b

Dermott, AR · 17 mi

716308b

Arkansas City, AR · 18 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 71677

What planting zone is ZIP code 71677?

ZIP code 71677 (Winchester, AR) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Winchester, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71677 is March 12; after March 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dumas station.

When is the first frost in Winchester, AR?

The median first fall frost near 71677 is November 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 245 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71677?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 15 – Jan 29 and set transplants outside around Mar 19 – Apr 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71677 get?

About 51.2 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dumas station).

How hot do summers get in Winchester, AR?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 74 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71677 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Perry at the center of ZIP 71677: clay, poorly drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Winchester, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71677 came on Feb 12 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Winchester, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 71677 is 14 h 24 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 71677 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 71677 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.