Last frost date in Bella Vista, AR

Average last frost
April 12

Expect the last frost in Bella Vista around April 12. Frost after April 29 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 26, which leaves 195 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 13 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 29
Average first frost
Oct 26
Frost-free season
195 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 31
Next 7 nights in Bella Vista

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2252°
  2. FriOct 2352°
  3. SatOct 2455°
  4. SunOct 2554°
  5. MonOct 2652°
  6. TueOct 2749°
  7. WedOct 2851°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 12First frost Oct 26195 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND195 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Bentonville 4 S, 10.4 miles from Bella Vista.

Planting calendar for Bella Vista

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Arkansas.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 19–May 3
PumpkinsApr 26–May 10
SunflowersApr 12–May 3
CucumbersApr 26–May 3
CornApr 19–May 3
Sweet potatoesMay 3–May 17
WatermelonApr 26–May 10
Green beansApr 19–May 10
ZucchiniApr 19–May 3
OkraMay 3–May 17
PeppersApr 26–May 10
BasilApr 19–May 3
Butternut squashApr 19–May 3
CantaloupeApr 26–May 10
EggplantApr 26–May 10
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 15–Mar 29
OnionsMar 1–Mar 22
CarrotsMar 22–Apr 26
LettuceMar 29–Apr 19
BroccoliMar 15–Mar 29
BeetsMar 15–Apr 26
PeasMar 1–Mar 15
CabbageMar 15–Mar 29
RadishesMar 8–Apr 19
Brussels sproutsMar 29–Apr 12
SpinachMar 1–Mar 22
CilantroMar 29–Apr 19
KaleMar 15–Mar 29
Collard greensMar 15–Mar 29
TurnipsMar 15–Mar 29
DillApr 12–Apr 26
CeleryApr 19–Apr 26
CauliflowerMar 29–Apr 12
LeeksMar 29–Apr 12
Swiss chardMar 29–Apr 26
ParsleyMar 29–Apr 19
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 12–Nov 16
GarlicOct 5–Nov 9
Daffodil bulbsSep 28–Nov 9
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 15–Mar 29
AsparagusMar 15–Mar 29

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 27Apr 12Apr 29Oct 13Oct 26Nov 9
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 12Mar 31Apr 18Oct 20Nov 4Nov 22

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Bentonville 4 S (USC00030586) sits 10.4 miles from the center of Bella Vista at 1,220 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Bella Vista, AR?

The average last frost date in Bella Vista is April 12, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 29.

When is the first frost in Bella Vista?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 26. One year in ten it arrives before October 13.

How long is the growing season in Bella Vista?

About 195 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Bella Vista?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 19 to May 3. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Arkansas

All 25 cities in Arkansas