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

Planting zone for 72544 — Henderson, AR

ZIP code 72544 (Henderson, Baxter County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 72544 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostMar 31

First frostNov 1

2012 zone7a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Henderson, 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 Henderson, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 19

Growing season214 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Mtn Home 1 Nnw, AR — 12 miles away, elevation 801 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 72544

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 72544 came on Feb 18 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2).

average
Mar 22026
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 7a in Arkansas

501 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arkansas, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Henderson, AR.

Soil in Henderson, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72544 is Arkana — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter69%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Arkana-Moko complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes, very rocky.

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 72544; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Henderson, AR

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days44days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights85nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,511base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 39 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 40 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation45.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall6 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mtn Home 1 Nnw, AR (12 mi away); precipitation: Gamaliel 2 Nw, AR (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Clarkridge, AR · 7 mi

656097a

Bakersfield, MO · 9 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72544

What planting zone is ZIP code 72544?

ZIP code 72544 (Henderson, AR) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Henderson, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72544 is March 31; after April 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mtn Home 1 Nnw station.

When is the first frost in Henderson, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72544 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 214 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72544?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 72544 get?

About 45.1 inches of precipitation a year and 6 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gamaliel 2 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Henderson, AR?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 44 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 72544 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Arkana at the center of ZIP 72544: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Henderson, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72544 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Henderson, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72544 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.