Frost dates for 85630Saint David, AZ
The average last spring frost in Saint David is April 12 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 202 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 202 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 160 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 12 · Apr 26 · May 10 | Oct 12 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 180 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 12 · Apr 29 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 202 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 23 · Apr 13 | Oct 27 · Nov 11 · Nov 26 | 232 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Saint David
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 12 – May 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 5 – May 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85630 is matched to the NOAA station Benson 6Se, AZ, 3 km away, at 3,690 ft elevation (19 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benson 6Se, AZ (used) | 3,690 ft | Apr 12 | Nov 1 |
| Kartchner Caverns, AZ | 4,690 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 15 |
| Tombstone, AZ | 4,659 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 29 |
| Pearce - Sunsites, AZ | 4,350 ft | Apr 14 | Nov 2 |
Frost dates near Saint David
- Benson, AZ 85602 · last Apr 12, first Nov 1
- Pomerene, AZ 85627 · last Apr 12, first Nov 1
- Dragoon, AZ 85609 · last Apr 14, first Nov 2
- Tombstone, AZ 85638 · last Mar 4, first Nov 29
- Sierra Vista, AZ 85636 · last Apr 5, first Nov 9
- Huachuca City, AZ 85616 · last Apr 5, first Nov 9
- Cochise, AZ 85606 · last Apr 9, first Oct 31
- Elgin, AZ 85611 · last Apr 18, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Saint David, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85630, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Benson 6Se, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Saint David, 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 85630?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 202 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.