Frost dates for 85548Safford, AZ
The average last spring frost in Safford is March 25 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 228 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 25
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 228 days
Safer after Apr 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 13 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 25 · Apr 12 · May 2 | Oct 14 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 197 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 25 · Apr 14 | Oct 23 · Nov 9 · Nov 25 | 228 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 8 · Mar 3 · Mar 23 | Nov 3 · Nov 22 · Dec 6 | 260 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Safford
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 22 – Apr 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – May 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Mar 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85548 is matched to the NOAA station Safford Ag Ctr, AZ, 7 km away, at 2,954 ft elevation (130 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safford Ag Ctr, AZ (used) | 2,954 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 9 |
| Safford Muni Ap, AZ | 3,176 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 20 |
| Ft Thomas 2 Sw, AZ | 2,835 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 6 |
| Clifton, AZ | 3,520 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 23 |
Frost dates near Safford
- Thatcher, AZ 85552 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Central, AZ 85531 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Solomon, AZ 85551 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Safford, AZ 85546 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Pima, AZ 85543 · last Apr 1, first Nov 6
- Eden, AZ 85535 · last Apr 1, first Nov 6
- Fort Thomas, AZ 85536 · last Apr 1, first Nov 6
- Morenci, AZ 85540 · last May 6, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Safford, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85548, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Safford Ag Ctr, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 14.
- When is the first frost in Safford, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 85548?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 228 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.