Frost dates for 86342Lake Montezuma, AZ
The average last spring frost in Lake Montezuma is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 166 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 18 · May 1 · May 16 | Oct 4 · Oct 19 · Nov 2 | 169 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 16 · May 2 | Oct 15 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 21 · Apr 15 | Oct 25 · Nov 10 · Nov 23 | 230 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lake Montezuma
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 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 86342 is matched to the NOAA station Montezuma Castle Nm, AZ, 5.8 km away, at 3,180 ft elevation (370 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montezuma Castle Nm, AZ (used) | 3,180 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 30 |
| Tuzigoot, AZ | 3,470 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 10 |
| Sedona, AZ | 4,220 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 17 |
| Jerome, AZ | 4,950 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 25 |
Frost dates near Lake Montezuma
- Rimrock, AZ 86335 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
- Camp Verde, AZ 86322 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
- Cornville, AZ 86325 · last Mar 30, first Nov 10
- Sedona, AZ 86341 · last Apr 1, first Nov 17
- Cottonwood, AZ 86326 · last Mar 30, first Nov 10
- Clarkdale, AZ 86324 · last Mar 30, first Nov 10
- Jerome, AZ 86331 · last Mar 26, first Nov 25
- Munds Park, AZ 86017 · last Jun 10, first Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lake Montezuma, AZ?
- For ZIP code 86342, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Montezuma Castle Nm, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Lake Montezuma, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 86342?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 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.