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

Planting zone for 72053 — College Station, AR

ZIP code 72053 (College Station, Pulaski County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 72053 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 21

First frostNov 10

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 College Station, 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 College Station, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 29

Growing season234 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Little Rock Airport Adams Field, AR — 2 miles away, elevation 259 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 72053

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 15 – Sep 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 21) and first fall frost (Nov 10) 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 72053 came on Feb 13 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15).

average
Feb 152026
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 College Station, AR.

Soil in College Station, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72053 is Mountainburg — stony fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureStony fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mountainburg stony fine sandy loam, 3 to 12 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 72053; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in College Station, AR

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days76days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights50nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,263base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 49 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation50.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall4 inper year; 3 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: Little Rock Airport Adams Field, AR (2 mi away); precipitation: Little Rock Airport Adams Field, AR (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

721648a

Sweet Home, AR · 1 mi

722028a

Little Rock, AR · 3 mi

722148a

Little Rock, AR · 4 mi

722018a

Little Rock, AR · 4 mi

722558a

Little Rock, AR · 5 mi

721148a

North Little Rock, AR · 5 mi

722068a

Little Rock, AR · 5 mi

721158a

North Little Rock, AR · 5 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72053

What planting zone is ZIP code 72053?

ZIP code 72053 (College Station, 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 College Station, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72053 is March 21; after April 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Little Rock Airport Adams Field station.

When is the first frost in College Station, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72053 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 234 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72053?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 24 – Feb 7 and set transplants outside around Mar 28 – Apr 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 72053 get?

About 50.4 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Little Rock Airport Adams Field station).

How hot do summers get in College Station, AR?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 76 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 72053 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mountainburg at the center of ZIP 72053: stony fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in College Station, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72053 came on Feb 13 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in College Station, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72053 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.