Frost dates for 86336Sedona, AZ
The average last spring frost in Sedona is April 14 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 204 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 204 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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 15 · May 1 · May 19 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 9 | 175 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 14 · May 4 | Oct 18 · Nov 5 · Nov 23 | 204 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 28 · Apr 16 | Oct 28 · Nov 18 · Dec 5 | 235 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sedona
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 86336 is matched to the NOAA station Oak Creek Canyon, AZ, 14.8 km away, at 5,118 ft elevation (315 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Creek Canyon, AZ (used) | 5,118 ft | Apr 14 | Nov 5 |
| Sedona, AZ | 4,220 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 17 |
| Mund'S Park, AZ | 6,470 ft | Jun 10 | Sep 27 |
| Montezuma Castle Nm, AZ | 3,180 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Sedona
- Sedona, AZ 86339 · last Apr 1, first Nov 17
- Munds Park, AZ 86017 · last Jun 10, first Sep 27
- Cornville, AZ 86325 · last Mar 30, first Nov 10
- Lake Montezuma, AZ 86342 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
- Rimrock, AZ 86335 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
- Cottonwood, AZ 86326 · last Mar 30, first Nov 10
- Mormon Lake, AZ 86038 · last Jun 1, first Oct 3
- Clarkdale, AZ 86324 · last Mar 30, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sedona, AZ?
- For ZIP code 86336, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oak Creek Canyon, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Sedona, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 86336?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 204 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.