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

Planting zone for 72379 — Snow Lake, AR

ZIP code 72379 (Snow Lake, Desha County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost November 18.

Where ZIP 72379 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 10

First frostNov 18

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Snow Lake, 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 Snow Lake, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 18median — 10% chance by Nov 2

Growing season251 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 28 and returns around December 2.

From the NOAA station Arkansas Post, AR — 17 miles away, elevation 194 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 72379

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 23 – Oct 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 4 – Dec 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 10) and first fall frost (Nov 18) 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 72379 came on Feb 13 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12).

average
Feb 122026
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 8b in Arkansas

521 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arkansas, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Snow Lake, AR.

Soil in Snow Lake, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72379 is Sharkey — clay, poorly drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if drained and either protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing seasonUSDA classification

Map unit: Sharkey clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded, south.

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 72379; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Snow Lake, AR

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days53days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights40nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,675base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 26 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 53 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation53.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Arkansas Post, AR (17 mi away); precipitation: Arkansas Post, AR (17 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Rena Lara, MS · 15 mi

387208b

Alligator, MS · 15 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72379

What planting zone is ZIP code 72379?

ZIP code 72379 (Snow Lake, AR) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Snow Lake, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72379 is March 10; after March 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Arkansas Post station.

When is the first frost in Snow Lake, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72379 is November 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 251 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72379?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 13 – Jan 27 and set transplants outside around Mar 17 – Mar 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 72379 get?

About 53.5 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Arkansas Post station).

How hot do summers get in Snow Lake, AR?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 53 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 72379 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sharkey at the center of ZIP 72379: clay, poorly drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Snow Lake, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72379 came on Feb 13 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Snow Lake, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72379 is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 72379 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 72379 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.