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

Planting zone for 72578 — Sturkie, AR

ZIP code 72578 (Sturkie, Fulton County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 72578 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 frostApr 8

First frostOct 30

2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Sturkie, 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 Sturkie, 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 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 18

Growing season204 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Salem, AR — 9 miles away, elevation 679 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 72578

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 · Sep 4 – Sep 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 72578 came on Feb 23 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4).

average
Mar 42026
Feb 23

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 Sturkie, AR.

Soil in Sturkie, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72578 is Gassville — 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: Gassville very gravelly silt loam, 8 to 20 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 72578; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sturkie, AR

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days51days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights94nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,353base 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

Precipitation49.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall5 inper year; 4 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: Salem, AR (9 mi away); precipitation: Salem, AR (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

Brandsville, MO · 15 mi

656927a

Koshkonong, MO · 15 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72578

What planting zone is ZIP code 72578?

ZIP code 72578 (Sturkie, 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 Sturkie, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72578 is April 8; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salem station.

When is the first frost in Sturkie, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72578 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72578?

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 72578 get?

About 49.5 inches of precipitation a year and 5 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salem station).

How hot do summers get in Sturkie, AR?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 51 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 72578 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gassville at the center of ZIP 72578: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sturkie, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72578 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sturkie, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72578 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 72578 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 72578 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.