Frost dates for 86321Bagdad, AZ
The average last spring frost in Bagdad is April 7 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 217 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 217 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 16 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 5 · Apr 26 · May 15 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 189 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 14 · Apr 7 · May 3 | Oct 26 · Nov 12 · Nov 25 | 217 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 19 · Mar 13 · Apr 8 | Nov 6 · Nov 22 · Dec 9 | 251 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bagdad
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 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 86321 is matched to the NOAA station Bagdad, AZ, 2.1 km away, at 3,935 ft elevation (139 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bagdad, AZ (used) | 3,935 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 12 |
| Wikieup, AZ | 2,010 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 23 |
| Walnut Creek, AZ | 5,090 ft | May 24 | Oct 7 |
| Alamo Dam, AZ | 1,290 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 23 |
Frost dates near Bagdad
- Kirkland, AZ 86332 · last Apr 7, first Nov 12
- Prescott, AZ 86305 · last May 24, first Oct 7
- Wikieup, AZ 85360 · last Mar 19, first Nov 23
- Skull Valley, AZ 86338 · last Apr 27, first Oct 24
- Yarnell, AZ 85362 · last Apr 30, first Oct 20
- Congress, AZ 85332 · last Mar 7, first Nov 20
- Wenden, AZ 85357 · last Mar 17, first Nov 19
- Chino Valley, AZ 86323 · last Apr 27, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bagdad, AZ?
- For ZIP code 86321, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bagdad, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Bagdad, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 86321?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 217 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.