What Growing Zone Is Fort Smith?

Our records indicate the United States Department of Agriculture has given Fort Smith a growing zone designation of 5a. Sometimes also called the planting or hardiness zone, this zone number gives you an idea of what plants can and cannot grow in Fort Smith's climate based on the average extreme annual temperature. .Our data is based on the latest 2023 USDA maps, which used Fort Smith's weather data from 1991 - 2020 in their analysis.

Latest MT growing zone map

If you are looking for plants suitable for growing in the Fort Smith area, head on over to our page on plants that grow well in Fort Smith, MT.

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Latest MT growing zone map

The growing zone is a measure of the lowest temperature that a plant can survive based on average lowest year temperatures, helping you to decide what plants would grow best in your particular climate. Since Fort Smith is in growing zone 5a this means that plants there can survive temperatures as low as -20 to -15 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants for Fort Smith's climate should be chosen with this in mind, or plants should be moved inside to keep their core temperature in the right range if necessary.

USDA growing zone map of the United States

Some zones may have been changed by the USDA as of 2023. To see if the Fort Smith area has been affected, refer to this map of half zone changes from the 2012 version of the USDA zones to the 2023 version.

map of usda hardiness zone changes from 2012 to 2023

Half zone changes from 2012 to 2023

The updated map shows that over half of the Southeast has warmed by about half a zone. For gardeners, that means you can now grow plants that tolerate a bit more heat and less frost than before. The tan areas reflect this shift. Meanwhile, the white areas had slight temperature changes, but not enough to move them into a new zone. In the Western U.S., a few spots shifted cooler. That’s not due to a colder climate, but because the new map uses a larger dataset, giving a more accurate picture of local conditions. It's important to keep track of these changes when planning your garden!

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Fort Smith's Growing Zone Details

USDA Growing Zone: 5a

Zip Codes: 59035

Longitude: -107.9296

Latitude: 45.3134

Lowest Avg Temperatures (F): -20 to -15

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Map of the Fort Smith Area

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Small Greenhouse Kit

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Plants For Other States

Looking for the best plants in a different area of the United States? Click on a button below to find plants that are ideal for that state's temperatures.