Frost dates for 85356Wellton, AZ
The average last spring frost in Wellton is February 13 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 288 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 13
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 288 days
Safer after Mar 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 14 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 28 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 7 · Mar 2 · Mar 19 | Nov 3 · Nov 19 · Dec 4 | 260 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 19 · Feb 13 · Mar 5 | Nov 14 · Dec 1 · Dec 17 | 288 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 28 · Jan 23 · Feb 20 | Nov 24 · Dec 11 · Jan 5 | 324 days | 97% |
Planting calendar for Wellton
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 11 |
| 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 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 1 – Apr 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 1 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 1 – Aug 11 |
| 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 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 16 – Jan 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Mar 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Mar 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85356 is matched to the NOAA station Tacna 3 Ne, AZ, 22.4 km away, at 324 ft elevation (108 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tacna 3 Ne, AZ (used) | 324 ft | Feb 13 | Dec 1 |
| Yuma 27 Ene, AZ | 620 ft | Jan 11 | Dec 21 |
| Yuma Proving Ground, AZ | 324 ft | Jan 4 | Dec 25 |
| Yuma Mcas, AZ | 213 ft | — | — |
Frost dates near Wellton
- Tacna, AZ 85352 · last Feb 13, first Dec 1
- Roll, AZ 85347 · last Feb 13, first Dec 1
- Yuma, AZ 85367 · last Jan 4, first Dec 25
- Bard, CA 92222 · last Jan 8, first Dec 28
- Somerton, AZ 85350 · last —, first —
- Winterhaven, CA 92283 · last Jan 4, first Dec 25
- Gadsden, AZ 85336 · last —, first —
- San Luis, AZ 85349 · last —, first —
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wellton, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85356, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tacna 3 Ne, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 5.
- When is the first frost in Wellton, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 85356?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 288 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.