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

Planting zone for 72339 — Gilmore, AR

ZIP code 72339 (Gilmore, Crittenden 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 11.

Where ZIP 72339 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 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 Gilmore, 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 Gilmore, 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 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 30
Growing season242 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 2 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station West Memphis Municipal Airport, AR — 19 miles away, elevation 213 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 72339

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 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 16) 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 72339 came on Feb 18 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21).

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

Shrubs 98

Wildflowers & perennials 174

Grasses 150

Vines 14

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 Gilmore, AR.

Soil in Gilmore, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72339 is Forestdale — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Forestdale silty clay loam.

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 72339; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gilmore, AR

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low33 °Faverage low, January
Hot days66days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights58nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,557base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 33 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 46 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

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 50 °F, low 33 °F 50°33° JanFebruary: average high 54 °F, low 36 °F 54°36° FebMarch: average high 63 °F, low 43 °F 63°43° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 52 °F 73°52° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 69 °F 89°69° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 72 °F 91°72° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° SepOctober: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° OctNovember: average high 62 °F, low 42 °F 62°42° NovDecember: average high 53 °F, low 36 °F 53°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 JanFebruary: 4.31 in precipitation 4.3 FebMarch: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 MarApril: 5.03 in precipitation 5.0 AprMay: 5.03 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 2.37 in precipitation 2.4 AugSeptember: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 SepOctober: 4.09 in precipitation 4.1 OctNovember: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 NovDecember: 4.88 in precipitation 4.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: West Memphis Municipal Airport, AR (19 mi away); precipitation: West Memphis Municipal Airport, AR (19 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72339

What planting zone is ZIP code 72339?

ZIP code 72339 (Gilmore, 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 Gilmore, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72339 is March 16; after April 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, West Memphis Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Gilmore, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72339 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 242 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72339?

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 72339 get?

About 50.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, West Memphis Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Gilmore, AR?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 66 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 72339 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Forestdale at the center of ZIP 72339: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Gilmore, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72339 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gilmore, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72339 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 72339 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 72339 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.