Frost dates for 85547Payson, AZ
The average last spring frost in Payson is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 176 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 176 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 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) | Apr 29 · May 15 · Jun 4 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 29 · May 20 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 8 | 176 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 10 · May 1 | Oct 21 · Nov 6 · Nov 21 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Payson
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 | Mar 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85547 is matched to the NOAA station Payson, AZ, 5.9 km away, at 4,850 ft elevation (37 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payson, AZ (used) | 4,850 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 24 |
| Natural Brg, AZ | 4,608 ft | Apr 9 | Nov 10 |
| Pleasant Valley, AZ | 5,183 ft | May 6 | Oct 20 |
| Childs, AZ | 2,650 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Payson
- Payson, AZ 85541 · last Apr 29, first Oct 24
- Pine, AZ 85544 · last Apr 9, first Nov 10
- Young, AZ 85554 · last May 6, first Oct 20
- Forest Lakes, AZ 85931 · last May 31, first Oct 2
- Happy Jack, AZ 86024 · last May 31, first Oct 2
- Tonto Basin, AZ 85553 · last Mar 7, first Nov 20
- Rimrock, AZ 86335 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
- Camp Verde, AZ 86322 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Payson, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85547, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Payson, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Payson, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 85547?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 176 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.