Frost Dates for Benson, AZ 85602
Last spring frost April 22 · First fall frost October 31 · 192 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 85602 has about 10,000 people.
Long season: 192 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 2–May 11 (39 days). Fall frost risk spans October 15–November 16 (32 days).
Frost probability for 85602
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 11 | April 22 | April 2 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 15 | October 31 | November 16 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WILLCOX (52.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 192-day season in Benson
In Benson (192 frost-free days, a 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 | Mar 18 | May 6–May 13 | 150 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 150 available after May 6. | Jul 1 |
| Pepper | Mar 11 | May 6–May 13 | 150 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 150 available after May 6. | Jul 6 |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 9 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 234 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 1. | Aug 29 |
| Cucumber | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Beans | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Peas | — | Feb 25–May 6 | 255 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 255 available after Feb 25. | Aug 20 |
| Zucchini | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Onion | Jan 28 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 227 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 25. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 25–Apr 15 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 28 |
| Kale | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 227 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 25. | Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 241 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 25. | Aug 29 |
| Radish | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 29 |
| Beets | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 213 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 31 | 297 | overwinter: Plant Oct 31 to Nov 21; harvest the following summer. | Nov 21 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 18–May 13 | 248 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 18; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 164 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 29. | Jul 13 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 8 | May 6–May 6 | 157 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 157 available after May 6. | Jun 18 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 206 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 15. | Aug 10 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 8 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 28 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 241 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 25. | Jul 30 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 157 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 157 available after May 6. | Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 150 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 150 available after May 6. | Jul 11 |
| Okra | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Basil | Mar 18 | May 13–May 13 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 25–Apr 15 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Parsley | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 192 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 29. | Aug 15 |
| Celery | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 13 | 192 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 29. | Jun 26 |
| Scallions | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 8 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 18 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 13 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 25 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 9 |
| Collards | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 8 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 150 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 150 available after May 6. | Jun 26 |
| Chives | Jan 28 | Apr 29–May 6 | 206 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Oregano | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 206 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 28 | Apr 29–May 6 | 192 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Sage | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 206 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 206 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Cosmos | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Lavender | Jan 28 | Apr 22–May 6 | 213 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 11 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Melons | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 150 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 150 available after May 6. | Jun 26 |
| Mint | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 213 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 171 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 29. | Jul 30 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 157 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 157 available after May 6. | Jun 28 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 178 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 22. | Jul 25 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 157 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 29. | Jul 6 |
| Watermelon | Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 6 | 157 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 29. | Jul 1 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Zinnias | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
Month by month in Benson
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 28), Lavender (Jan 28), Onion (Jan 28), Rosemary (Jan 28). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 11), Collards (Feb 11), Kale (Feb 11), Oregano (Feb 11), Parsley (Feb 11), Scallions (Feb 11), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 25), Beets (Feb 25), Dill (Feb 25), Peas (Feb 25), Radish (Feb 25), Spinach (Feb 25). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 4), Calendula (Mar 11), Cauliflower (Mar 11), Marigolds (Mar 11), Pepper (Mar 11), Basil (Mar 18), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 11), Cilantro (Mar 25), Turnip (Mar 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 25), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 25), Cabbage (Mar 25), Collards (Mar 25), Kale (Mar 25), Lettuce (Mar 25), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 18). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 1), Butternut Squash (Apr 8), Cantaloupe (Apr 8), Melons (Apr 8), Pumpkin (Apr 8), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 8), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 1), Potatoes (Apr 8), Sunflowers (Apr 22), Beans (Apr 29), Pole Beans (Apr 29). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 8), Swiss Chard (Apr 8), Bok Choy (Apr 15), Cauliflower (Apr 15), Cosmos (Apr 22), Lavender (Apr 22), +15 more. Last frost around April 22. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 6), Cantaloupe (May 6), Cucumber (May 6), Eggplant (May 6), Melons (May 6), Pepper (May 6), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 18), Pumpkin (Jun 18), Cantaloupe (Jun 26), Celery (Jun 26), Melons (Jun 26), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 28). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jul 1), Watermelon (Jul 1), Pepper (Jul 6), Tomatillos (Jul 6), Eggplant (Jul 11), Corn (Jul 13), +3 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 4), Cosmos (Aug 4), Cucumber (Aug 4), Zinnias (Aug 4), Broccoli (Aug 5), Nasturtiums (Aug 9), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 4), Cilantro (Sep 4), Collards (Sep 8), Scallions (Sep 8), Bok Choy (Sep 9), Lettuce (Sep 9), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 31). First frost around October 31. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 21). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Benson, AZ (ZIP 85602)?
The median last spring frost date for Benson, AZ (ZIP code 85602) is around April 22. 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 April 2; one in ten it runs past May 11.
What is the first fall frost date in Benson, AZ?
The median first fall frost date for Benson, AZ is around October 31. 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 October 15 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Benson, AZ?
The frost-free growing season in Benson is about 192 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 Benson (192 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Benson, AZ?
Benson, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (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 Benson, AZ?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 18 and plant out May 6 in Benson. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Benson?
Two: plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 7.
When do I plant garlic in Benson?
Oct 31 to Nov 21; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Benson?
Yes: plant out May 6 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 1 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Vail (ZIP 85641) has 286 frost-free days, 94 more than Benson (ZIP 85602). See Vail ZIP 85641 frost dates
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