Frost Dates for Apache Junction, AZ 85120
Last spring frost February 13 · First fall frost November 29 · 289 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 85120 has about 31,200 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Apache Junction.
Very long season: 289 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 12–March 18 (65 days). Fall frost risk spans November 12–December 13 (31 days).
Frost probability for 85120
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 18 | February 13 | January 12 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 12 | November 29 | December 13 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at STEWART MTN DAM (19.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Apache Junction, AZ
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85120 | February 13 | November 29 | 9b |
| 85119 | February 13 | November 29 | 9b |
Which crops fit a 289-day season in Apache Junction
In Apache Junction (289 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 9 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 247 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 247 available after Feb 27. | Jul 30 |
| Pepper | Jan 2 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 247 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 247 available after Feb 27. | Aug 4 |
| Lettuce | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 23 | 324 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 8 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 23–Jan 30 | 331 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 331 available after Jan 23. | Sep 27 |
| Cucumber | Jan 23 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Beans | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 9 |
| Peas | — | Dec 19–Feb 27 | 352 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 352 available after Dec 19. | Sep 18 |
| Zucchini | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Onion | Nov 21 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 324 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 324 available after Jan 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 19–Feb 6 | 366 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 27 |
| Kale | Dec 5 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 338 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 12 |
| Broccoli | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 324 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 324 available after Jan 16. | Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 338 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 338 available after Jan 16. | Sep 27 |
| Radish | — | Dec 19–Mar 13 | 352 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Oct 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 28 |
| Beets | — | Dec 19–Mar 13 | 352 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 30–Feb 6 | 310 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 310 available after Jan 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 29 | 394 | overwinter: Plant Nov 29 to Dec 20; harvest the following summer. | Dec 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 9–Mar 6 | 345 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 9; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 16 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 261 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 261 available after Feb 20. | Aug 11 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Feb 27 | 254 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 254 available after Feb 27. | Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 2 | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 303 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 303 available after Feb 6. | Sep 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 19 | Jan 30–Jan 30 | 310 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 19–Mar 13 | 366 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 338 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 338 available after Jan 16. | Aug 28 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 254 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 254 available after Feb 27. | Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Dec 26 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 247 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 247 available after Feb 27. | Aug 9 |
| Okra | Jan 16 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Basil | Jan 9 | Mar 6–Mar 6 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 16–Feb 6 | 324 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 3 |
| Parsley | Dec 5 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 289 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 289 available after Feb 20. | Sep 13 |
| Celery | Dec 5 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 289 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 289 available after Feb 20. | Jul 25 |
| Scallions | Dec 5 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 338 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 7 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 338 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 2–Jan 16 | 352 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 12 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 16 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 303 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 8 |
| Collards | Dec 5 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 338 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 7 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 247 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 247 available after Feb 27. | Jul 25 |
| Chives | Nov 21 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 303 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 303 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 19–Mar 13 | 352 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Oregano | Dec 5 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 303 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 303 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 21 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 289 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 289 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Sage | Dec 19 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 303 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 303 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 5 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 303 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 303 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 310 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 3 |
| Cosmos | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Lavender | Nov 21 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 310 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 310 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 2 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Melons | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 247 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 247 available after Feb 27. | Jul 25 |
| Mint | — | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 310 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 310 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 268 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 268 available after Feb 20. | Aug 28 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 254 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 254 available after Feb 27. | Jul 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 275 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 275 available after Feb 13. | Aug 23 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 19 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 254 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 254 available after Feb 20. | Aug 4 |
| Watermelon | Jan 30 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 254 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 254 available after Feb 20. | Jul 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Zinnias | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
Month by month in Apache Junction
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Calendula (Jan 2), Cauliflower (Jan 2), Marigolds (Jan 2), Pepper (Jan 2), Basil (Jan 9), Tomato (Jan 9), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Jan 2), Cilantro (Jan 16), Turnip (Jan 16), Carrots (Jan 23), Potatoes (Jan 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 16), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 16), Cabbage (Jan 16), Collards (Jan 16), Kale (Jan 16), Lettuce (Jan 16), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 9). |
| February | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Feb 13), Beans (Feb 20), Pole Beans (Feb 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Feb 6), Cauliflower (Feb 6), Cosmos (Feb 13), Lavender (Feb 13), Marigolds (Feb 13), Mint (Feb 13), +24 more. Last frost around February 13. |
| March | Transplant from: Basil (Mar 6). |
| April | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| May | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| June | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 17), Pumpkin (Jul 17), Cantaloupe (Jul 25), Celery (Jul 25), Melons (Jul 25), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 27), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 4), Tomatillos (Aug 4), Eggplant (Aug 9), Corn (Aug 11), Sunflowers (Aug 23), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 28), +1 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 2), Cosmos (Sep 2), Cucumber (Sep 2), Zinnias (Sep 2), Broccoli (Sep 3), Nasturtiums (Sep 7), +13 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 3), Cilantro (Oct 3), Collards (Oct 7), Scallions (Oct 7), Bok Choy (Oct 8), Lettuce (Oct 8), +6 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 21), Lavender (Nov 21), Onion (Nov 21), Rosemary (Nov 21). Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 29). First frost around November 29. |
| December | Start indoors: Celery (Dec 5), Collards (Dec 5), Kale (Dec 5), Oregano (Dec 5), Parsley (Dec 5), Scallions (Dec 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 19), Beets (Dec 19), Dill (Dec 19), Peas (Dec 19), Radish (Dec 19), Spinach (Dec 19). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 20). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Apache Junction, AZ (ZIP 85120)?
The median last spring frost date for Apache Junction, AZ (ZIP code 85120) is around February 13. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before January 12; one in ten it runs past March 18.
What is the first fall frost date in Apache Junction, AZ?
The median first fall frost date for Apache Junction, AZ is around November 29. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around November 12 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Apache Junction, AZ?
The frost-free growing season in Apache Junction is about 289 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Apache Junction (289 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Apache Junction, AZ?
Apache Junction, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Apache Junction, AZ?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 9 and plant out Feb 27 in Apache Junction. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Apache Junction?
Two: plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6.
When do I plant garlic in Apache Junction?
Nov 29 to Dec 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Apache Junction?
Yes: plant out Feb 27 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 30 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Gold Canyon (ZIP 85118) has 318 frost-free days, 29 more than Apache Junction (ZIP 85120). See Gold Canyon ZIP 85118 frost dates
Nearby and related
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