Frost dates for 86313Prescott, AZ
The average last spring frost in Prescott is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 178 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 178 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 175 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 26 · May 13 · Jun 2 | Oct 1 · Oct 12 · Oct 27 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 27 · May 18 | Oct 9 · Oct 24 · Nov 8 | 178 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 9 · Apr 29 | Oct 18 · Nov 5 · Nov 19 | 206 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Prescott
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 86313 is matched to the NOAA station Chino Valley, AZ, 7.8 km away, at 4,750 ft elevation (86 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chino Valley, AZ (used) | 4,750 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 24 |
| Prescott Love Fld, AZ | 5,042 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 27 |
| Prescott, AZ | 5,205 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 20 |
| Jerome, AZ | 4,950 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 25 |
Frost dates near Prescott
- Sedona, AZ 86340 · last Apr 27, first Oct 24
- Prescott Valley, AZ 86312 · last Apr 20, first Oct 27
- Chino Valley, AZ 86323 · last Apr 27, first Oct 24
- Prescott, AZ 86301 · last Apr 30, first Oct 20
- Dewey, AZ 86327 · last Apr 27, first Oct 24
- Jerome, AZ 86331 · last Mar 26, first Nov 25
- Humboldt, AZ 86329 · last Apr 27, first Oct 24
- Clarkdale, AZ 86324 · last Mar 30, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Prescott, AZ?
- For ZIP code 86313, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chino Valley, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Prescott, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 86313?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 178 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.