Frost dates for 86351Sedona, AZ
The average last spring frost in Sedona is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 17, giving a typical growing season of about 229 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 17
- Growing season
- 229 days
Safer after Apr 19 (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) | Mar 31 · Apr 17 · May 1 | Oct 18 · Nov 5 · Nov 23 | 201 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 6 · Apr 1 · Apr 19 | Oct 28 · Nov 17 · Dec 3 | 229 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 1 · Mar 6 · Apr 6 | Nov 6 · Nov 27 · Dec 13 | 265 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 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 7 – Dec 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 86351 is matched to the NOAA station Sedona, AZ, 13.2 km away, at 4,220 ft elevation (99 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedona, AZ (used) | 4,220 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 17 |
| Montezuma Castle Nm, AZ | 3,180 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 30 |
| Oak Creek Canyon, AZ | 5,118 ft | Apr 14 | Nov 5 |
| Mund'S Park, AZ | 6,470 ft | Jun 10 | Sep 27 |
Frost dates near Sedona
- Sedona, AZ 86341 · last Apr 1, first Nov 17
- 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
- Munds Park, AZ 86017 · last Jun 10, first Sep 27
- Camp Verde, AZ 86322 · last Apr 16, first Oct 30
- Clarkdale, AZ 86324 · last Mar 30, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sedona, AZ?
- For ZIP code 86351, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sedona, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in Sedona, 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 86351?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 229 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.