Frost dates for 86031Indian Wells, AZ
The average last spring frost in Indian Wells is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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 30 · May 13 · May 30 | Sep 27 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 148 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 16 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 3 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 19 · May 4 | Oct 14 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Indian Wells
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 86031 is matched to the NOAA station Painted Desert Np, AZ, 47.2 km away, at 5,760 ft elevation (34 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painted Desert Np, AZ (used) | 5,760 ft | May 1 | Oct 20 |
| Keams Canyon, AZ | 6,205 ft | May 16 | Oct 10 |
| Holbrook, AZ | 5,085 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 24 |
| Ganado, AZ | 6,340 ft | May 15 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Indian Wells
- Sun Valley, AZ 86029 · last Apr 22, first Oct 24
- Keams Canyon, AZ 86034 · last May 16, first Oct 10
- Joseph City, AZ 86032 · last Apr 22, first Oct 24
- Petrified Forest Natl Pk, AZ 86028 · last May 22, first Oct 8
- Chambers, AZ 86502 · last May 22, first Oct 8
- Red Valley, AZ 86544 · last May 22, first Oct 8
- Holbrook, AZ 86025 · last Apr 22, first Oct 24
- Second Mesa, AZ 86043 · last May 16, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Indian Wells, AZ?
- For ZIP code 86031, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Painted Desert Np, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Indian Wells, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 86031?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 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.