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

Planting zone for 72303 — West Memphis, AR

ZIP code 72303 (West Memphis, Crittenden County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 72303 is

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 19
First frostNov 10
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 West Memphis, 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 West Memphis, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 28
Growing season235 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 7 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station W Memphis, AR — 2 miles away, elevation 217 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 72303

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
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 19) 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 72303 came on Feb 16 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19).

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.

Trees 71

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Fbald cypress130 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −18 °Fbitternut hickory75 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −47 °F

Shrubs 98

alternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 174

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 150

alkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °F

Vines 14

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 West Memphis, AR.

Soil in West Memphis, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72303 is Alligator — silty clay, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Alligator silty clay, 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 72303; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in West Memphis, AR

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low31 °Faverage low, January
Hot days61days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights58nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,384base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 32 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 47 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
Snowfall2 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 49 °F, low 31 °F 49°31° JanFebruary: average high 54 °F, low 34 °F 54°34° FebMarch: average high 62 °F, low 42 °F 62°42° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 51 °F 72°51° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 61 °F 80°61° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 69 °F 88°69° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 73 °F 91°73° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 71 °F 90°71° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° SepOctober: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° OctNovember: average high 62 °F, low 42 °F 62°42° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 35 °F 52°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.40 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 4.4❄1 JanFebruary: 4.39 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 4.4❄1 FebMarch: 5.79 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 5.8 MarApril: 5.84 in precipitation 5.8 AprMay: 5.94 in precipitation 5.9 MayJune: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 AugSeptember: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 OctNovember: 4.83 in precipitation 4.8 NovDecember: 5.63 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 5.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: W Memphis, AR (2 mi away); precipitation: W Memphis, AR (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

723018a
West Memphis, AR · <1 mi
381138a
Memphis, TN · 4 mi
723648a
Marion, AR · 5 mi
381038a
Memphis, TN · 7 mi
723328a
Edmondson, AR · 7 mi
381018a
Memphis, TN · 8 mi
381488a
Memphis, TN · 8 mi
381508a
Memphis, TN · 8 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in West Memphis → · Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72303

What planting zone is ZIP code 72303?

ZIP code 72303 (West Memphis, 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 West Memphis, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72303 is March 19; after April 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, W Memphis station.

When is the first frost in West Memphis, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72303 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 235 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72303?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 22 – Feb 5 and set transplants outside around Mar 26 – Apr 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 72303 get?

About 55.9 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, W Memphis station).

How hot do summers get in West Memphis, 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 72303 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alligator at the center of ZIP 72303: silty clay, poorly drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in West Memphis, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72303 came on Feb 16 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in West Memphis, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72303 is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 72303 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 72303 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.