Frost dates for 85940Vernon, AZ
The average last spring frost in Vernon is May 22 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 138 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 138 days
Safer after Jun 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 200 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 21 · Jun 3 · Jun 15 | Sep 17 · Sep 30 · Oct 9 | 118 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 6 · May 22 · Jun 4 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 19 | 138 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 21 · May 5 · May 23 | Oct 4 · Oct 17 · Oct 31 | 164 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Vernon
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 21 – Jun 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jun 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jul 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – May 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85940 is matched to the NOAA station Pinetop 2E, AZ, 25.8 km away, at 7,200 ft elevation (284 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinetop 2E, AZ (used) | 7,200 ft | May 22 | Oct 6 |
| Mc Nary 2N, AZ | 7,340 ft | May 20 | Oct 11 |
| Show Low Ap, AZ | 6,411 ft | May 5 | Oct 15 |
| Sunrise Mtn, AZ | 9,371 ft | Jun 18 | Sep 18 |
Frost dates near Vernon
- Concho, AZ 85924 · last May 2, first Oct 14
- Mcnary, AZ 85930 · last May 20, first Oct 11
- Pinetop, AZ 85935 · last May 22, first Oct 6
- Show Low, AZ 85901 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- Lakeside, AZ 85929 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- Springerville, AZ 85938 · last Jun 1, first Sep 26
- Greer, AZ 85927 · last Jun 5, first Sep 29
- Saint Johns, AZ 85936 · last May 3, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Vernon, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85940, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pinetop 2E, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 4.
- When is the first frost in Vernon, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 85940?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 138 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.