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

Planting zone for 72076 — Jacksonville, AR

ZIP code 72076 (Jacksonville, Pulaski County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost November 16.

Where ZIP 72076 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 16

First frostNov 16

2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 16median — 10% chance by Oct 31

Growing season245 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 4 and returns around November 27.

From the NOAA station Little Rock, AR — 9 miles away, elevation 568 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 72076

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 21 – Oct 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 2 – Dec 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 16) and first fall frost (Nov 16) 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 72076 came on Feb 13 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

average
Feb 182026
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 Jacksonville, AR.

Soil in Jacksonville, AR

The center of ZIP 72076 is mapped as Urban land: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 72076; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Jacksonville, AR

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days70days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights41nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,311base 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

Precipitation53.8 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: Little Rock, AR (9 mi away); precipitation: Sherwood 1.8 Nnw, AR (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

720998a

Little Rock Air Force Base, AR · 1 mi

720788a

Jacksonville, AR · 4 mi

Little Rock, AR · 6 mi

722318a

Little Rock, AR · 8 mi

722168a

Little Rock, AR · 9 mi

721178a

North Little Rock, AR · 9 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Jacksonville → · Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72076

What planting zone is ZIP code 72076?

ZIP code 72076 (Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72076 is March 16; after April 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Little Rock station.

When is the first frost in Jacksonville, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72076 is November 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 245 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72076?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 19 – Feb 2 and set transplants outside around Mar 23 – Apr 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 72076 get?

About 53.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sherwood 1.8 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Jacksonville, AR?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 70 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Jacksonville, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72076 came on Feb 13 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Jacksonville, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72076 is 14 h 30 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 72076 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 72076 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.