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

Planting zone for 71721 — Beirne, AR

ZIP code 71721 (Beirne, Clark County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost November 6.

Where ZIP 71721 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 29

First frostNov 6

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 Beirne, 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 Beirne, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 23

Growing season224 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 14 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Prescott 2 Nnw, AR — 11 miles away, elevation 308 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 71721

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 11 – Sep 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 29) and first fall frost (Nov 6) 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 71721 came on Feb 13 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11).

average
Feb 112026
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 Beirne, AR.

Soil in Beirne, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71721 is Kipling — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kipling silt loam, 0 to 2 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 71721; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Beirne, AR

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days69days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights62nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,262base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 25 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

Precipitation56.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Prescott 2 Nnw, AR (11 mi away); precipitation: Prescott 2 Nnw, AR (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

717728a

Whelen Springs, AR · 6 mi

Bluff City, AR · 12 mi

Arkadelphia, AR · 16 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 71721

What planting zone is ZIP code 71721?

ZIP code 71721 (Beirne, 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 Beirne, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71721 is March 29; after April 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Prescott 2 Nnw station.

When is the first frost in Beirne, AR?

The median first fall frost near 71721 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 224 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71721?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 1 – Feb 15 and set transplants outside around Apr 5 – Apr 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71721 get?

About 56.6 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Prescott 2 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Beirne, AR?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 69 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71721 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kipling at the center of ZIP 71721: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Beirne, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71721 came on Feb 13 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Beirne, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 71721 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.