Frost dates for 85201Mesa, AZ
The average last spring frost in Mesa is February 13 and the average first fall frost is December 5, giving a typical growing season of about 298 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 13
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 5
- Growing season
- 298 days
Safer after Mar 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 18 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 39 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 8 · Apr 7 | Nov 7 · Nov 26 · Dec 9 | 259 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 12 · Feb 13 · Mar 9 | Nov 18 · Dec 5 · Dec 24 | 298 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 19 · Jan 16 · Feb 19 | Nov 27 · Dec 19 · Jan 19 | 337 days | 87% |
Planting calendar for Mesa
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Jan 13 – Mar 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 1 – Aug 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 13 – Feb 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Aug 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 1 – Apr 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 1 – Sep 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 1 – Aug 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Mar 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 2 – Dec 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 26 – Jan 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 4 – Sep 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 16 – Jan 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Mar 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Oct 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 11 – Oct 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Mar 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Oct 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 25 – Dec 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85201 is matched to the NOAA station Tempe Asu, AZ, 7 km away, at 1,167 ft elevation (80 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tempe Asu, AZ (used) | 1,167 ft | Feb 13 | Dec 5 |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Ap, AZ | 1,107 ft | Jan 5 | Jan 3 |
| E Mesa, AZ | 1,518 ft | Feb 1 | Dec 10 |
| South Phoenix, AZ | 1,155 ft | Jan 21 | Dec 16 |
Frost dates near Mesa
- Mesa, AZ 85214 · last Feb 13, first Dec 5
- Scottsdale, AZ 85256 · last Feb 13, first Dec 5
- Tempe, AZ 85285 · last Feb 13, first Dec 5
- Gilbert, AZ 85299 · last Feb 13, first Dec 5
- Chandler, AZ 85224 · last Feb 13, first Dec 5
- Phoenix, AZ 85008 · last Jan 5, first Jan 3
- Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 · last Jan 6, first Dec 26
- Higley, AZ 85236 · last Feb 1, first Dec 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mesa, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85201, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tempe Asu, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 9.
- When is the first frost in Mesa, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 85201?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 298 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.