Frost dates for 86333Mayer, AZ
The average last spring frost in Mayer is April 5 and the average first fall frost is November 17, giving a typical growing season of about 221 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 17
- Growing season
- 221 days
Safer after Apr 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 21 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 24 · May 13 | Oct 19 · Nov 4 · Nov 21 | 193 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 9 · Apr 5 · Apr 24 | Oct 28 · Nov 17 · Dec 3 | 221 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 7 · Mar 7 · Apr 9 | Nov 9 · Nov 28 · Dec 17 | 263 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mayer
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 7 – Dec 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 86333 is matched to the NOAA station Cordes, AZ, 7.5 km away, at 3,771 ft elevation (74 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cordes, AZ (used) | 3,771 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 17 |
| Prescott, AZ | 5,205 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 20 |
| Montezuma Castle Nm, AZ | 3,180 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 30 |
| Childs, AZ | 2,650 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Mayer
- Humboldt, AZ 86329 · last Apr 27, first Oct 24
- Dewey, AZ 86327 · last Apr 27, first Oct 24
- Crown King, AZ 86343 · last Apr 30, first Oct 20
- Prescott, AZ 86303 · last Apr 30, first Oct 20
- Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 · last Apr 20, first Oct 27
- Black Canyon City, AZ 85324 · last Jan 15, first Dec 22
- Camp Verde, AZ 86322 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
- Cottonwood, AZ 86326 · last Mar 30, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mayer, AZ?
- For ZIP code 86333, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cordes, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in Mayer, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 86333?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 221 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.