Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 72404 — Jonesboro, AR

ZIP code 72404 (Jonesboro, Craighead County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 72404 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 23

First frostNov 9

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 Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 27

Growing season230 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 10 and returns around November 20.

From the NOAA station Jonesboro Municipal Airport, AR — 9 miles away, elevation 262 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 72404

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Mar 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 23) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 72404 came on Feb 17 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25).

average
Feb 252026
Feb 17

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 Jonesboro, AR.

Soil in Jonesboro, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72404 is Hillemann — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Hillemann silt loam, 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 72404; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Jonesboro, AR

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days66days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights65nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,169base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 44 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation48.5 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: Jonesboro Municipal Airport, AR (9 mi away); precipitation: Jonesboro Municipal Airport, AR (9 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.

724037b

Jonesboro, AR · 6 mi

724677b

State University, AR · 8 mi

Jonesboro, AR · 12 mi

724798a

Weiner, AR · 12 mi

All 5 ZIP codes in Jonesboro → · Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72404

What planting zone is ZIP code 72404?

ZIP code 72404 (Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72404 is March 23; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jonesboro Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Jonesboro, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72404 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 230 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72404?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 26 – Feb 9 and set transplants outside around Mar 30 – Apr 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 72404 get?

About 48.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jonesboro Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Jonesboro, 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 72404 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hillemann at the center of ZIP 72404: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Jonesboro, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72404 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Jonesboro, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72404 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 72404 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 72404 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.