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

Planting zone for 74723 — Bennington, OK

ZIP code 74723 (Bennington, Bryan County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 74723 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 19
First frostNov 12
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 Bennington, 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 Bennington, OK

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Oct 28
Growing season237 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 5 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station Durant 6sse Mesonet, OK — 18 miles away, elevation 646 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 74723

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 17 – Oct 1
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 29 – Dec 3
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 19) and first fall frost (Nov 12) 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 74723 came on Feb 10 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13).

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 Bennington, OK.

Soil in Bennington, OK

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 74723 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 74723; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bennington, OK

Summer high94 °Faverage high, August
Winter low33 °Faverage low, January
Hot days84days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights48nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,705base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 25 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 53 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation45.3 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 53 °F, low 33 °F 53°33° JanFebruary: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 44 °F 66°44° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 52 °F 73°52° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 60 °F 80°60° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 69 °F 89°69° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 72 °F 93°72° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 71 °F 94°71° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 53 °F 76°53° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 43 °F 65°43° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 35 °F 55°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 2.43 in precipitation 2.4 JanFebruary: 2.93 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 5.82 in precipitation 5.8 MayJune: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 JulAugust: 2.67 in precipitation 2.7 AugSeptember: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 4.69 in precipitation 4.7 OctNovember: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Durant 6sse Mesonet, OK (18 mi away); precipitation: Durant 6sse Mesonet, OK (18 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

Oklahoma planting zones →

Questions about 74723

What planting zone is ZIP code 74723?

ZIP code 74723 (Bennington, 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 Bennington, OK?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 74723 is March 19; after April 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Durant 6sse Mesonet station.

When is the first frost in Bennington, OK?

The median first fall frost near 74723 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 237 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 74723?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 22 – Feb 5 and set transplants outside around Mar 26 – Apr 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 74723 get?

About 45.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Durant 6sse Mesonet station).

How hot do summers get in Bennington, OK?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in August, with about 84 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 74723 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bernow at the center of ZIP 74723: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bennington, OK in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 74723 came on Feb 10 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bennington, OK?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 74723 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 74723 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 74723 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.