Frost dates for 86034Keams Canyon, AZ
The average last spring frost in Keams Canyon is May 16 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 147 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 147 days
Safer after Jun 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 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 14 · Jun 1 · Jun 15 | Sep 22 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 124 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 16 · Jun 5 | Sep 29 · Oct 10 · Oct 24 | 147 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · May 1 · May 20 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 5 | 169 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Keams 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 | Apr 15 – Jun 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jul 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 86034 is matched to the NOAA station Keams Canyon, AZ, 8.2 km away, at 6,205 ft elevation (273 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keams Canyon, AZ (used) | 6,205 ft | May 16 | Oct 10 |
| Ganado, AZ | 6,340 ft | May 15 | Oct 10 |
| Canyon De Chelly, AZ | 5,610 ft | May 6 | Oct 8 |
| Tuba City, AZ | 4,988 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Keams Canyon
- Polacca, AZ 86042 · last May 16, first Oct 10
- Second Mesa, AZ 86043 · last May 16, first Oct 10
- Kykotsmovi Village, AZ 86039 · last May 16, first Oct 10
- Pinon, AZ 86510 · last May 16, first Oct 10
- Hotevilla, AZ 86030 · last May 16, first Oct 10
- Indian Wells, AZ 86031 · last May 1, first Oct 20
- Blue Gap, AZ 86520 · last May 16, first Oct 10
- Ganado, AZ 86505 · last May 15, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Keams Canyon, AZ?
- For ZIP code 86034, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Keams Canyon, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 5.
- When is the first frost in Keams Canyon, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 86034?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 147 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.