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

Planting zone for 72642 — Lakeview, AR

ZIP code 72642 (Lakeview, Baxter County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 72642 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 2

First frostNov 1

2012 zone6b

Was 6b on the 2012 map — a full 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 Lakeview, 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 Lakeview, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 19only 10% chance of frost after

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

Growing season212 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station Mountain Home Baxter Airport, AR — 4 miles away, elevation 929 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 72642

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

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 (Apr 2) 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 72642 came on Feb 17 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1).

average
Mar 12026
Feb 17

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.

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 Lakeview, AR.

Soil in Lakeview, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72642 is Nixa — slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

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

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter69%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nixa-Noark complex, 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 72642; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lakeview, AR

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days47days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights73nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,625base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 39 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

Precipitation46.1 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: Mountain Home Baxter Airport, AR (4 mi away); precipitation: Bull Shoals 1 S, AR (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

726197b

Bull Shoals, AR · 3 mi

Mountain Home, AR · 9 mi

726547b

Mountain Home, AR · 9 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72642

What planting zone is ZIP code 72642?

ZIP code 72642 (Lakeview, 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 Lakeview, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72642 is April 2; after April 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mountain Home Baxter Airport station.

When is the first frost in Lakeview, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72642 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 212 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72642?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 5 – Feb 19 and set transplants outside around Apr 9 – Apr 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 72642 get?

About 46.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bull Shoals 1 S station).

How hot do summers get in Lakeview, AR?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 47 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 72642 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nixa at the center of ZIP 72642: slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lakeview, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72642 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lakeview, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72642 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 72642 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 72642 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.