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

Planting zone for 72066 — Hickory Plains, AR

ZIP code 72066 (Hickory Plains, 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 72066 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 Hickory Plains, 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 Hickory Plains, 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 — 12 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 72066

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 72066 came on Feb 15 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

average
Feb 182026
Feb 15

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 Hickory Plains, AR.

Soil in Hickory Plains, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72066 is Calhoun — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.22%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Calhoun 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 72066; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hickory Plains, 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 31 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

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Des Arc, AR (12 mi away); precipitation: Des Arc, AR (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

Griffithville, AR · 11 mi

720688a

Higginson, AR · 11 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72066

What planting zone is ZIP code 72066?

ZIP code 72066 (Hickory Plains, 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 Hickory Plains, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72066 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 Hickory Plains, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72066 is November 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 247 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72066?

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 72066 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 Hickory Plains, 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 72066 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Calhoun at the center of ZIP 72066: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hickory Plains, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72066 came on Feb 15 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hickory Plains, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72066 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.