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

Planting zone for 71941 — Donaldson, AR

ZIP code 71941 (Donaldson, Hot Spring County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 71941 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 24

First frostNov 9

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 Donaldson, 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 Donaldson, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 26

Growing season230 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Hot Springs Asos, AR — 7 miles away, elevation 535 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 71941

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 24) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 71941 came on Feb 13 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13).

average
Feb 132026
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 Donaldson, AR.

Soil in Donaldson, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71941 is Sardis — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sardis silt loam, occasionally flooded.

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 71941; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Donaldson, AR

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low33 °Faverage low, January

Hot days78days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights52nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,616base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 27 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation52.9 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: Hot Springs Asos, AR (7 mi away); precipitation: Hot Springs Asos, AR (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

719428a

Friendship, AR · 3 mi

719988a

Arkadelphia, AR · 10 mi

Arkadelphia, AR · 12 mi

719138a

Hot Springs National Park, AR · 16 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 71941

What planting zone is ZIP code 71941?

ZIP code 71941 (Donaldson, 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 Donaldson, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71941 is March 24; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hot Springs Asos station.

When is the first frost in Donaldson, AR?

The median first fall frost near 71941 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 230 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71941?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 27 – Feb 10 and set transplants outside around Mar 31 – Apr 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71941 get?

About 52.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hot Springs Asos station).

How hot do summers get in Donaldson, AR?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 78 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71941 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sardis at the center of ZIP 71941: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Donaldson, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71941 came on Feb 13 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Donaldson, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 71941 is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.