Frost dates for 85609Dragoon, AZ
The average last spring frost in Dragoon is April 14 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 200 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 200 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 0 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 13 · Apr 28 · May 10 | Oct 12 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 178 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 200 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 27 · Apr 16 | Oct 30 · Nov 13 · Nov 29 | 228 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dragoon
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85609 is matched to the NOAA station Pearce - Sunsites, AZ, 21.6 km away, at 4,350 ft elevation (266 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearce - Sunsites, AZ (used) | 4,350 ft | Apr 14 | Nov 2 |
| Benson 6Se, AZ | 3,690 ft | Apr 12 | Nov 1 |
| Willcox, AZ | 4,170 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 31 |
| Tombstone, AZ | 4,659 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 29 |
Frost dates near Dragoon
- Cochise, AZ 85606 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
- Saint David, AZ 85630 · last Apr 12, first Nov 1
- Pomerene, AZ 85627 · last Apr 12, first Nov 1
- Benson, AZ 85602 · last Apr 12, first Nov 1
- Fort Huachuca, AZ 85670 · last Apr 14, first Nov 2
- Willcox, AZ 85644 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
- Tombstone, AZ 85638 · last Mar 4, first Nov 29
- Pearce, AZ 85625 · last Apr 14, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dragoon, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85609, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pearce - Sunsites, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Dragoon, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 85609?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 200 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.