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

Planting zone for 71837 — Fouke, AR

ZIP code 71837 (Fouke, Miller County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost November 13.

Where ZIP 71837 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 13

First frostNov 13

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 Fouke, 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 Fouke, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 13median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 13median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season246 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Texarkana Webb Field, AR — 17 miles away, elevation 361 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 71837

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 18 – Oct 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 30 – Dec 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 13) and first fall frost (Nov 13) 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 71837 came on Feb 10 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8).

average
Feb 82026
Feb 10

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 Fouke, AR.

Soil in Fouke, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71837 is Amy — 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 matter1.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Amy 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 71837; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fouke, AR

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days83days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights37nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,811base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 21 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 57 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation52.5 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: Texarkana Webb Field, AR (17 mi away); precipitation: Fouke 5.3 Ene, AR (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

718398b

Garland City, AR · 6 mi

718408b

Genoa, AR · 10 mi

718348b

Doddridge, AR · 12 mi

718458b

Lewisville, AR · 12 mi

718268b

Bradley, AR · 13 mi

718548b

Texarkana, AR · 13 mi

755568b

Bloomburg, TX · 14 mi

755728b

Queen City, TX · 16 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 71837

What planting zone is ZIP code 71837?

ZIP code 71837 (Fouke, 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 Fouke, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71837 is March 13; after April 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Texarkana Webb Field station.

When is the first frost in Fouke, AR?

The median first fall frost near 71837 is November 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 246 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71837?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 16 – Jan 30 and set transplants outside around Mar 20 – Apr 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71837 get?

About 52.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fouke 5.3 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Fouke, AR?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 83 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71837 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Amy at the center of ZIP 71837: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fouke, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71837 came on Feb 10 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fouke, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 71837 is 14 h 21 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 71837 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 71837 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.