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

Planting zone for 72165 — Thida, AR

ZIP code 72165 (Thida, Independence County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 72165 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 18

First frostNov 11

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 Thida, 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 Thida, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 31

Growing season240 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 6 and returns around November 25.

From the NOAA station Newport, AR — 11 miles away, elevation 230 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 72165

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 16 – Sep 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 18) and first fall frost (Nov 11) 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 72165 came on Feb 16 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23).

average
Feb 232026
Feb 16

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 Thida, AR.

Soil in Thida, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72165 is Newnata — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Newnata silty clay loam, 8 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 72165; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Thida, AR

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days56days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights60nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,954base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 34 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 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: Newport, AR (11 mi away); precipitation: Newport, AR (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

725648a

Oil Trough, AR · 2 mi

Pleasant Plains, AR · 9 mi

720758a

Jacksonport, AR · 10 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72165

What planting zone is ZIP code 72165?

ZIP code 72165 (Thida, 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 Thida, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72165 is March 18; after April 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newport station.

When is the first frost in Thida, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72165 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 240 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72165?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 21 – Feb 4 and set transplants outside around Mar 25 – Apr 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 72165 get?

About 51.2 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newport station).

How hot do summers get in Thida, AR?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 56 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 72165 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Newnata at the center of ZIP 72165: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Thida, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72165 came on Feb 16 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Thida, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72165 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 72165 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 72165 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.