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

Planting zone for 72638 — Green Forest, AR

ZIP code 72638 (Green Forest, Carroll County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 72638 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 3

First frostOct 30

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 Green Forest, 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 Green Forest, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 16

Growing season210 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 24 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Harrison Boone Co. Airport, AR — 14 miles away, elevation 1,375 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 72638

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

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 3) 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 72638 came on Feb 16 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2).

average
Mar 22026
Feb 16

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 Green Forest, AR.

Soil in Green Forest, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72638 is Cane — loam, moderately well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Cane 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 72638; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Green Forest, AR

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days41days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights76nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,463base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 38 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 41 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation45.5 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: Harrison Boone Co. Airport, AR (14 mi away); precipitation: Green Forest, AR (2 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.

726117b

Alpena, AR · 7 mi

726167a

Berryville, AR · 8 mi

726607a

Oak Grove, AR · 10 mi

726627a

Omaha, AR · 14 mi

657397a

Ridgedale, MO · 15 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72638

What planting zone is ZIP code 72638?

ZIP code 72638 (Green Forest, 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 Green Forest, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72638 is April 3; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Harrison Boone Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Green Forest, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72638 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 210 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72638?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 6 – Feb 20 and set transplants outside around Apr 10 – Apr 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 72638 get?

About 45.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Green Forest station).

How hot do summers get in Green Forest, AR?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 41 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 72638 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cane at the center of ZIP 72638: loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Green Forest, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72638 came on Feb 16 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Green Forest, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72638 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.