Frost dates for 85611Elgin, AZ
The average last spring frost in Elgin is April 18 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 195 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 195 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 167 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 18 · Apr 30 · May 16 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 173 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 18 · May 3 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 195 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 8 · Apr 2 · Apr 21 | Oct 29 · Nov 14 · Nov 28 | 223 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elgin
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 18 – May 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85611 is matched to the NOAA station Elgin 5 S, AZ, 7.8 km away, at 4,811 ft elevation (73 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elgin 5 S, AZ (used) | 4,811 ft | Apr 18 | Nov 1 |
| Ft Huachuca Pioneer Airfield, AZ | 4,768 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 21 |
| Canelo 1 Nw, AZ | 5,010 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 30 |
| Sonoita, AZ | 4,895 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 21 |
Frost dates near Elgin
- Sonoita, AZ 85637 · last Apr 18, first Nov 1
- Huachuca City, AZ 85616 · last Apr 5, first Nov 9
- Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613 · last Apr 5, first Nov 9
- Patagonia, AZ 85624 · last Apr 18, first Nov 1
- Sierra Vista, AZ 85636 · last Apr 5, first Nov 9
- Nogales, AZ 85628 · last Mar 20, first Nov 17
- Saint David, AZ 85630 · last Apr 12, first Nov 1
- Hereford, AZ 85615 · last Apr 5, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elgin, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85611, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elgin 5 S, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Elgin, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 85611?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 195 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.