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

Planting zone for 72555 — Marcella, AR

ZIP code 72555 (Marcella, Stone County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 72555 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostApr 8
First frostOct 26
2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Marcella, 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 Marcella, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 13
Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Batesville Lvstk, AR — 6 miles away, elevation 571 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 72555

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 31 – Sep 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 72555 came on Feb 17 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25).

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 7b in Arkansas

505 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arkansas, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 70

Shrubs 94

Wildflowers & perennials 173

Grasses 145

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 Marcella, AR.

Soil in Marcella, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72555 is Linker — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Linker fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 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 72555; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Marcella, AR

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, January
Hot days56days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights77nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,252base 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
Precipitation54.8 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 45 °F, low 26 °F 45°26° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 29 °F 50°29° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 56 °F 76°56° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 68 °F 88°68° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 47 °F 70°47° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 29 °F 48°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.14 in precipitation 4.1 JanFebruary: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 FebMarch: 5.33 in precipitation 5.3 MarApril: 5.83 in precipitation 5.8 AprMay: 5.76 in precipitation 5.8 MayJune: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 JunJuly: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 5.36 in precipitation 5.4 NovDecember: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Batesville Lvstk, AR (6 mi away); precipitation: Mountain View 12.7 Ese, AR (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72555

What planting zone is ZIP code 72555?

ZIP code 72555 (Marcella, AR) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Marcella, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72555 is April 8; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Batesville Lvstk station.

When is the first frost in Marcella, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72555 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72555?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 72555 get?

About 54.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mountain View 12.7 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Marcella, AR?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 56 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 72555 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Linker at the center of ZIP 72555: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Marcella, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72555 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 Marcella, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72555 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 72555 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 72555 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.