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

Planting zone for 72414 — Black Oak, AR

ZIP code 72414 (Black Oak, Craighead County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost November 6.

Where ZIP 72414 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 26

First frostNov 6

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 Black Oak, 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 Black Oak, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 26

Growing season227 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 13 and returns around November 17.

From the NOAA station Paragould 1s, AR — 16 miles away, elevation 269 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 72414

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 11 – Sep 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 26) and first fall frost (Nov 6) 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 72414 came on Feb 18 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25).

average
Feb 252026
Feb 18

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 Black Oak, AR.

Soil in Black Oak, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72414 is Dubbs — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dubbs fine sandy 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 72414; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Black Oak, AR

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days52days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights63nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,879base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 43 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 inper year; 3 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: Paragould 1s, AR (16 mi away); precipitation: Paragould 1s, AR (16 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

Brookland, AR · 11 mi

724288a

Etowah, AR · 11 mi

724388a

Leachville, AR · 11 mi

723778a

Rivervale, AR · 11 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72414

What planting zone is ZIP code 72414?

ZIP code 72414 (Black Oak, 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 Black Oak, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72414 is March 26; after April 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Paragould 1s station.

When is the first frost in Black Oak, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72414 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 227 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72414?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 29 – Feb 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 2 – Apr 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 72414 get?

About 51.7 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Paragould 1s station).

How hot do summers get in Black Oak, AR?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 52 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 72414 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dubbs at the center of ZIP 72414: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Black Oak, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72414 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Black Oak, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72414 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 72414 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 72414 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.