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

Planting zone for 72051 — Fox, AR

ZIP code 72051 (Fox, Stone County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 72051 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostApr 2
First frostOct 31
2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Fox, 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 Fox, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 15
Growing season211 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 19 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station Mtn View, AR — 12 miles away, elevation 715 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 72051

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 2) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 72051 came on Feb 17 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2).

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 Fox, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72051 is Nella — gravelly fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nella-Steprock complex, 8 to 20 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 72051; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fox, AR

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low28 °Faverage low, January
Hot days61days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights78nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,816base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 35 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 44 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation55.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 28 °F 48°28° JanFebruary: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° FebMarch: average high 61 °F, low 40 °F 61°40° MarApril: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 70 °F 91°70° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 68 °F 91°68° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 60 °F 84°60° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 39 °F 61°39° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 31 °F 51°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 JanFebruary: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 FebMarch: 5.52 in precipitation 5.5 MarApril: 5.74 in precipitation 5.7 AprMay: 5.67 in precipitation 5.7 MayJune: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 JunJuly: 5.32 in precipitation 5.3 JulAugust: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 OctNovember: 5.61 in precipitation 5.6 NovDecember: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mtn View, AR (12 mi away); precipitation: Shirley 6.8 Nne, AR (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

726807b
Timbo, AR · 6 mi
721537b
Shirley, AR · 10 mi
726637b
Onia, AR · 10 mi
720447b
Edgemont, AR · 11 mi
725337b
Fifty Six, AR · 13 mi
726577b
Timbo, AR · 14 mi
725607b
Mountain View, AR · 14 mi
720887b
Fairfield Bay, AR · 14 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72051

What planting zone is ZIP code 72051?

ZIP code 72051 (Fox, AR) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Fox, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72051 is April 2; after April 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mtn View station.

When is the first frost in Fox, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72051 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 211 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72051?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 5 – Feb 19 and set transplants outside around Apr 9 – Apr 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 72051 get?

About 55.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shirley 6.8 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Fox, AR?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 61 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 72051 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nella at the center of ZIP 72051: gravelly fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fox, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72051 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fox, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72051 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 72051 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 72051 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.