Frost dates for 85610Elfrida, AZ
The average last spring frost in Elfrida is April 6 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 215 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 215 days
Safer after Apr 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 14 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 5 · Apr 20 · May 2 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 190 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 12 · Apr 6 · Apr 24 | Oct 25 · Nov 10 · Nov 26 | 215 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 10 · Apr 11 | Nov 5 · Nov 23 · Dec 9 | 252 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elfrida
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 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85610 is matched to the NOAA station Mc Neal, AZ, 13.3 km away, at 4,170 ft elevation (105 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mc Neal, AZ (used) | 4,170 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 10 |
| Douglas Bisbee Inl Ap, AZ | 4,105 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 2 |
| Pearce - Sunsites, AZ | 4,350 ft | Apr 14 | Nov 2 |
| Chiricahua Nm, AZ | 5,300 ft | Apr 16 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Elfrida
- Pearce, AZ 85625 · last Apr 14, first Nov 2
- Fort Huachuca, AZ 85670 · last Apr 14, first Nov 2
- Mc Neal, AZ 85617 · last Mar 4, first Nov 29
- Douglas, AZ 85608 · last Apr 11, first Nov 2
- Pirtleville, AZ 85626 · last Mar 18, first Nov 13
- Tombstone, AZ 85638 · last Mar 4, first Nov 29
- Bisbee, AZ 85603 · last Apr 1, first Nov 10
- Cochise, AZ 85606 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elfrida, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85610, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mc Neal, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in Elfrida, 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 85610?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 215 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.