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

Planting zone for 72017 — Biscoe, AR

ZIP code 72017 (Biscoe, Prairie County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost November 14.

Where ZIP 72017 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 11
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 Biscoe, 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 Biscoe, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 14median — 10% chance by Oct 31
Growing season247 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 2 and returns around November 26.

From the NOAA station Des Arc, AR — 9 miles away, elevation 200 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 72017

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
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 11) 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 72017 came on Feb 14 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

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).

Soil in Biscoe, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72017 is Kobel — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Kobel silty clay loam, frequently 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 72017; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Biscoe, AR

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low33 °Faverage low, January
Hot days70days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights50nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,606base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 30 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 48 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation50 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall2 inper year; 2 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 49 °F, low 33 °F 49°33° JanFebruary: average high 54 °F, low 36 °F 54°36° FebMarch: average high 63 °F, low 44 °F 63°44° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 53 °F 73°53° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 62 °F 81°62° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 71 °F 89°71° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 73 °F 92°73° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 72 °F 91°72° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° SepOctober: average high 75 °F, low 53 °F 75°53° OctNovember: average high 62 °F, low 43 °F 62°43° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 36 °F 52°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.68 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 3.7❄1 JanFebruary: 4.04 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 4.0❄1 FebMarch: 5.16 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 5.2❄1 MarApril: 5.53 in precipitation 5.5 AprMay: 5.40 in precipitation 5.4 MayJune: 3.01 in precipitation 3.0 JunJuly: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 JulAugust: 2.89 in precipitation 2.9 AugSeptember: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 OctNovember: 4.43 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.4 NovDecember: 5.25 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 5.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Des Arc, AR (9 mi away); precipitation: Des Arc, AR (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

720218a
Brinkley, AR · 10 mi
720408a
Des Arc, AR · 10 mi
720368a
Cotton Plant, AR · 11 mi
720418a
De Valls Bluff, AR · 12 mi
720298a
Clarendon, AR · 14 mi
720648a
Hazen, AR · 14 mi
720608a
Griffithville, AR · 17 mi
723928a
Wheatley, AR · 17 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72017

What planting zone is ZIP code 72017?

ZIP code 72017 (Biscoe, 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 Biscoe, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72017 is March 11; after April 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Des Arc station.

When is the first frost in Biscoe, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72017 is November 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 247 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72017?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 14 – Jan 28 and set transplants outside around Mar 18 – Apr 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 72017 get?

About 50 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Des Arc station).

How hot do summers get in Biscoe, AR?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 70 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 72017 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kobel at the center of ZIP 72017: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Biscoe, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72017 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Biscoe, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72017 is 14 h 30 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.