Frost dates for 85357Wenden, AZ
The average last spring frost in Wenden is March 17 and the average first fall frost is November 19, giving a typical growing season of about 243 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 17
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 19
- Growing season
- 243 days
Safer after Apr 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 5 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 23 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) | Mar 17 · Apr 7 · Apr 27 | Oct 25 · Nov 9 · Nov 22 | 213 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 17 · Apr 12 | Nov 5 · Nov 19 · Dec 1 | 243 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 9 · Feb 19 · Mar 24 | Nov 17 · Dec 1 · Dec 19 | 286 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wenden
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 | Feb 14 – Apr 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – May 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 9 – Dec 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85357 is matched to the NOAA station Aguila, AZ, 27.3 km away, at 2,165 ft elevation (906 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aguila, AZ (used) | 2,165 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 19 |
| Alamo Dam, AZ | 1,290 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 23 |
| Bouse, AZ | 925 ft | Feb 18 | Nov 28 |
| Wickenburg, AZ | 2,095 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near Wenden
- Aguila, AZ 85320 · last Mar 17, first Nov 19
- Salome, AZ 85348 · last Mar 17, first Nov 19
- Bouse, AZ 85325 · last Feb 18, first Nov 28
- Wickenburg, AZ 85390 · last Mar 7, first Nov 20
- Bagdad, AZ 86321 · last Apr 7, first Nov 12
- Congress, AZ 85332 · last Mar 7, first Nov 20
- Yarnell, AZ 85362 · last Apr 30, first Oct 20
- Parker Dam, CA 92267 · last Jan 7, first Dec 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wenden, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85357, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Aguila, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 12.
- When is the first frost in Wenden, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 85357?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 243 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.