Frost dates for 86320Ash Fork, AZ
The average last spring frost in Ash Fork is May 10 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 195 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 8 · May 28 · Jun 10 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 130 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 10 · May 29 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 30 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 24 · May 13 | Oct 10 · Oct 26 · Nov 9 | 182 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ash Fork
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 9 – Jun 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 86320 is matched to the NOAA station Seligman, AZ, 36.6 km away, at 5,250 ft elevation (125 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seligman, AZ (used) | 5,250 ft | May 10 | Oct 15 |
| Williams, AZ | 6,909 ft | May 22 | Oct 5 |
| Walnut Creek, AZ | 5,090 ft | May 24 | Oct 7 |
| Chino Valley, AZ | 4,750 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Ash Fork
- Paulden, AZ 86334 · last May 24, first Oct 7
- Seligman, AZ 86337 · last May 10, first Oct 15
- Williams, AZ 86046 · last May 9, first Oct 19
- Chino Valley, AZ 86323 · last Apr 27, first Oct 24
- Parks, AZ 86018 · last Jun 21, first Sep 17
- Prescott, AZ 86313 · last Apr 27, first Oct 24
- Sedona, AZ 86340 · last Apr 27, first Oct 24
- Prescott Valley, AZ 86315 · last Apr 30, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ash Fork, AZ?
- For ZIP code 86320, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Seligman, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Ash Fork, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 86320?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.