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

Planting zone for 74525 — Atoka, OK

ZIP code 74525 (Atoka, Atoka County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 74525 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostMar 29
First frostNov 4
2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Atoka, OK…

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 Atoka, OK

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 29median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 17only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 20
Growing season222 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 12 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Lane 1wnw Mesonet, OK — 4 miles away, elevation 594 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 74525

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 29) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 74525 came on Feb 11 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15).

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 8a in Oklahoma

525 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oklahoma, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 60

Shrubs 94

Wildflowers & perennials 189

Grasses 160

Vines 15

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 Atoka, OK.

Soil in Atoka, OK

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 74525 is Bernow — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bernow fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 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 74525; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Atoka, OK

Summer high93 °Faverage high, August
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days80days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights67nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,350base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 27 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 51 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation46 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 52 °F, low 30 °F 52°30° JanFebruary: average high 57 °F, low 34 °F 57°34° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F 80°59° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 68 °F 88°68° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 71 °F 92°71° JulAugust: average high 93 °F, low 70 °F 93°70° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 62 °F 87°62° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 50 °F 76°50° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 40 °F 65°40° NovDecember: average high 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 2.62 in precipitation 2.6 JanFebruary: 2.58 in precipitation 2.6 FebMarch: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 MarApril: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 AprMay: 6.07 in precipitation 6.1 MayJune: 4.65 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 3.19 in precipitation 3.2 JulAugust: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 AugSeptember: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 OctNovember: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lane 1wnw Mesonet, OK (4 mi away); precipitation: Lane 1wnw Mesonet, OK (4 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.

Oklahoma planting zones →

Questions about 74525

What planting zone is ZIP code 74525?

ZIP code 74525 (Atoka, OK) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Atoka, OK?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 74525 is March 29; after April 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lane 1wnw Mesonet station.

When is the first frost in Atoka, OK?

The median first fall frost near 74525 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 222 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 74525?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 1 – Feb 15 and set transplants outside around Apr 5 – Apr 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 74525 get?

About 46 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lane 1wnw Mesonet station).

How hot do summers get in Atoka, OK?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in August, with about 80 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 74525 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bernow at the center of ZIP 74525: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Atoka, OK in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 74525 came on Feb 11 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Atoka, OK?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 74525 is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 74525 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 74525 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.