Frost dates for 85603Bisbee, AZ
The average last spring frost in Bisbee is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 222 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 222 days
Safer after Apr 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 12 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 3 · Apr 18 · May 4 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 14 | 193 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 13 · Apr 1 · Apr 20 | Oct 25 · Nov 10 · Nov 28 | 222 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 16 · Mar 13 · Apr 4 | Nov 5 · Nov 24 · Dec 13 | 254 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bisbee
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 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85603 is matched to the NOAA station Bisbee 1Wnw, AZ, 4.6 km away, at 5,560 ft elevation (432 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bisbee 1Wnw, AZ (used) | 5,560 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 10 |
| Douglas Bisbee Inl Ap, AZ | 4,105 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 2 |
| Mc Neal, AZ | 4,170 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 10 |
| Coronado Nmem, AZ | 5,242 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Bisbee
- Naco, AZ 85620 · last Apr 5, first Nov 9
- Mc Neal, AZ 85617 · last Mar 4, first Nov 29
- Hereford, AZ 85615 · last Apr 5, first Nov 9
- Douglas, AZ 85608 · last Apr 11, first Nov 2
- Sierra Vista, AZ 85650 · last Apr 5, first Nov 9
- Pirtleville, AZ 85626 · last Mar 18, first Nov 13
- Tombstone, AZ 85638 · last Mar 4, first Nov 29
- Elfrida, AZ 85610 · last Apr 6, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bisbee, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85603, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bisbee 1Wnw, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 20.
- When is the first frost in Bisbee, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 85603?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 222 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.