Frost dates for 85931Forest Lakes, AZ
The average last spring frost in Forest Lakes is May 31 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 126 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 31
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 126 days
Safer after Jun 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 216 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) | May 29 · Jun 9 · Jun 25 | Sep 12 · Sep 24 · Oct 4 | 105 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 13 · May 31 · Jun 12 | Sep 22 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 126 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 27 · May 13 · Jun 2 | Oct 1 · Oct 12 · Oct 27 | 149 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Forest Lakes
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 | Apr 30 – Jul 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85931 is matched to the NOAA station Blue Ridge Rs, AZ, 34.9 km away, at 6,880 ft elevation (299 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Rs, AZ (used) | 6,880 ft | May 31 | Oct 2 |
| Heber (Black Mesa) Rs, AZ | 6,590 ft | May 23 | Oct 5 |
| Pleasant Valley, AZ | 5,183 ft | May 6 | Oct 20 |
| Payson, AZ | 4,850 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Forest Lakes
- Heber, AZ 85928 · last May 23, first Oct 5
- Overgaard, AZ 85933 · last May 23, first Oct 5
- Young, AZ 85554 · last May 6, first Oct 20
- Payson, AZ 85547 · last Apr 29, first Oct 24
- Happy Jack, AZ 86024 · last May 31, first Oct 2
- Clay Springs, AZ 85923 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- Cibecue, AZ 85911 · last May 6, first Oct 20
- Pinedale, AZ 85934 · last May 5, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Forest Lakes, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85931, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Blue Ridge Rs, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 12.
- When is the first frost in Forest Lakes, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 85931?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 126 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.