Frost dates for 85605Bowie, AZ
The average last spring frost in Bowie is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 217 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 217 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 31 · Apr 18 · May 7 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 8 | 193 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 10 · Apr 1 · Apr 18 | Oct 21 · Nov 6 · Nov 18 | 217 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 11 · Mar 9 · Apr 3 | Nov 2 · Nov 17 · Dec 1 | 248 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bowie
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 17 |
| 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 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 17 |
| 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 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85605 is matched to the NOAA station Bowie, AZ, 0.5 km away, at 3,777 ft elevation (17 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowie, AZ (used) | 3,777 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 6 |
| San Simon, AZ | 3,580 ft | Apr 16 | Nov 2 |
| Willcox, AZ | 4,170 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 31 |
| Chiricahua Nm, AZ | 5,300 ft | Apr 16 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Bowie
- Willcox, AZ 85644 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
- San Simon, AZ 85632 · last Apr 2, first Nov 7
- Cochise, AZ 85606 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
- Pearce, AZ 85625 · last Apr 14, first Nov 2
- Fort Huachuca, AZ 85670 · last Apr 14, first Nov 2
- Solomon, AZ 85551 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Safford, AZ 85546 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Dragoon, AZ 85609 · last Apr 14, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bowie, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85605, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bowie, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Bowie, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 85605?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 217 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.