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

Planting zone for 72934 — Chester, AR

ZIP code 72934 (Chester, Crawford County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 72934 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 9

First frostOct 28

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 Chester, 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 Chester, AR

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 14

Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 28 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Mountainburg 2 Ne, AR — 7 miles away, elevation 794 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 72934

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 9) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 72934 came on Feb 14 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1).

average
Mar 12026
Feb 14

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 Chester, AR.

Soil in Chester, AR

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 72934 is Nella — gravelly fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nella-Enders association, very steep.

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 72934; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chester, AR

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days65days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights87nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,592base 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

Precipitation53.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 inper year; 3 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: Mountainburg 2 Ne, AR (7 mi away); precipitation: Mountainburg 2 Ne, AR (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

729487b

Natural Dam, AR · 6 mi

729327b

Cedarville, AR · 8 mi

729527b

Rudy, AR · 8 mi

729467b

Mountainburg, AR · 9 mi

729557b

Uniontown, AR · 10 mi

727177b

Canehill, AR · 12 mi

727297b

Evansville, AR · 13 mi

729597b

Winslow, AR · 14 mi

Arkansas planting zones →

Questions about 72934

What planting zone is ZIP code 72934?

ZIP code 72934 (Chester, 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 Chester, AR?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 72934 is April 9; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mountainburg 2 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Chester, AR?

The median first fall frost near 72934 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 72934?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 12 – Feb 26 and set transplants outside around Apr 16 – Apr 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 72934 get?

About 53.4 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mountainburg 2 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Chester, AR?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 65 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 72934 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nella at the center of ZIP 72934: gravelly fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Chester, AR in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 72934 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chester, AR?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 72934 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 72934 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 72934 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.