Frost dates for 85938Springerville, AZ
The average last spring frost in Springerville is June 1 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 114 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 1
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 114 days
Safer after Jun 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 217 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 31 · Jun 12 · Jun 30 | Sep 4 · Sep 18 · Sep 30 | 93 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 17 · Jun 1 · Jun 20 | Sep 12 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 114 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 4 · May 18 · Jun 6 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 17 | 135 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Springerville
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 | May 1 – Jul 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 17 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 18 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 1 – Jun 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Aug 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jun 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jul 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 18 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 18 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 18 – Jun 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85938 is matched to the NOAA station Springerville, AZ, 6.8 km away, at 6,998 ft elevation (52 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springerville, AZ (used) | 6,998 ft | Jun 1 | Sep 26 |
| Greer, AZ | 8,275 ft | Jun 5 | Sep 29 |
| Sunrise Mtn, AZ | 9,371 ft | Jun 18 | Sep 18 |
| St Johns Industrial Ap, AZ | 5,733 ft | May 3 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Springerville
- Eagar, AZ 85925 · last Jun 1, first Sep 26
- Greer, AZ 85927 · last Jun 5, first Sep 29
- Nutrioso, AZ 85932 · last Jun 15, first Sep 21
- Vernon, AZ 85940 · last May 22, first Oct 6
- Saint Johns, AZ 85936 · last May 3, first Oct 10
- Alpine, AZ 85920 · last Jun 15, first Sep 21
- Concho, AZ 85924 · last May 2, first Oct 14
- Mcnary, AZ 85930 · last May 20, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Springerville, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85938, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Springerville, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 20.
- When is the first frost in Springerville, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 85938?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 114 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.