Frost dates for 86023Grand Canyon, AZ
The average last spring frost in Grand Canyon is June 17 and the average first fall frost is September 24, giving a typical growing season of about 97 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 17
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 24
- Growing season
- 97 days
Safer after Jul 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 233 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) | Jun 15 · Jun 28 · Jul 12 | Sep 3 · Sep 15 · Sep 25 | 77 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jun 3 · Jun 17 · Jul 1 | Sep 12 · Sep 24 · Oct 6 | 97 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 14 · Jun 4 · Jun 21 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 17 | 121 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Grand Canyon
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 17 – Jul 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jul 3 – Jun 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jun 3 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 17 – Jun 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jul 3 – Aug 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jul 3 – Jul 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jul 3 – Jun 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jul 10 – Aug 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jul 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jun 3 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jun 3 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 15 – Jun 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jul 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Aug 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 3 – Jun 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 14 – Oct 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 86023 is matched to the NOAA station Grand Canyon Np Ap, AZ, 2.2 km away, at 6,606 ft elevation (57 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon Np Ap, AZ (used) | 6,606 ft | Jun 17 | Sep 24 |
| Grand Canyon Np 2, AZ | 6,785 ft | Jun 1 | Oct 3 |
| Grand Canyon Visitor Ctr, AZ | 7,083 ft | May 2 | Oct 27 |
| Phantom Rch, AZ | 2,530 ft | Feb 9 | Dec 5 |
Frost dates near Grand Canyon
- North Rim, AZ 86052 · last Jun 3, first Sep 27
- Williams, AZ 86046 · last May 9, first Oct 19
- Gray Mountain, AZ 86016 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Cameron, AZ 86020 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Supai, AZ 86435 · last Feb 9, first Dec 5
- Parks, AZ 86018 · last Jun 21, first Sep 17
- Tuba City, AZ 86045 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Bellemont, AZ 86015 · last Jun 21, first Sep 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Grand Canyon, AZ?
- For ZIP code 86023, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Grand Canyon Np Ap, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after July 1.
- When is the first frost in Grand Canyon, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 24. 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 86023?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 97 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.