Frost Dates for Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Last spring frost April 9 · First fall frost November 3 · 208 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 86326 has about 24,900 people.
Long season: 208 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 19–May 1 (43 days). Fall frost risk spans October 21–November 17 (27 days).
Frost probability for 86326
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 1 | April 9 | March 19 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 21 | November 3 | November 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at JEROME (10.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 208-day season in Cottonwood
In Cottonwood (208 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 5 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 166 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 23. | Jul 4 |
| Pepper | Feb 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 166 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 23. | Jul 9 |
| Lettuce | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 12 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 250 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 19. | Sep 1 |
| Cucumber | Mar 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Beans | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Peas | — | Feb 12–Apr 23 | 271 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 271 available after Feb 12. | Aug 23 |
| Zucchini | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Onion | Jan 15 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 243 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 12–Apr 2 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 1 |
| Kale | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 243 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 12. | Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 257 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 12. | Sep 1 |
| Radish | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Oct 2 |
| Beets | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 229 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 3 | 313 | overwinter: Plant Nov 3 to Nov 24; harvest the following summer. | Nov 24 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 5–Apr 30 | 264 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 5; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 16. | Jul 16 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 173 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 23. | Jun 21 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 222 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 2. | Aug 13 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Mar 26 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 1 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 257 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 12. | Aug 2 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 173 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 23. | Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 166 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 23. | Jul 14 |
| Okra | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Basil | Mar 5 | Apr 30–Apr 30 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 12–Apr 2 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Parsley | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 16. | Aug 18 |
| Celery | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 208 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 16. | Jun 29 |
| Scallions | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 21 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 12 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 12 |
| Collards | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 166 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 23. | Jun 29 |
| Chives | Jan 15 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 222 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Oregano | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 222 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 15 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 208 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Sage | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 222 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 222 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Cosmos | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Lavender | Jan 15 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 229 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Melons | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 166 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 23. | Jun 29 |
| Mint | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 229 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 187 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 16. | Aug 2 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 23. | Jul 1 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 194 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 9. | Jul 28 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 16. | Jul 9 |
| Watermelon | Mar 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 16. | Jul 4 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Zinnias | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
Month by month in Cottonwood
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 15), Lavender (Jan 15), Onion (Jan 15), Rosemary (Jan 15), Celery (Jan 29), Collards (Jan 29), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 12), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 12), Cabbage (Feb 12), Lettuce (Feb 12), Sage (Feb 12), Swiss Chard (Feb 12), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 12), Beets (Feb 12), Dill (Feb 12), Peas (Feb 12), Radish (Feb 12), Spinach (Feb 12), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 5), Tomato (Mar 5), Bok Choy (Mar 12), Corn (Mar 12), Cosmos (Mar 12), Nasturtiums (Mar 12), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 12), Turnip (Mar 12), Carrots (Mar 19), Potatoes (Mar 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 12), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 12), Cabbage (Mar 12), Collards (Mar 12), Kale (Mar 12), Lettuce (Mar 12), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 5). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 9), Beans (Apr 16), Pole Beans (Apr 16). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 2), Cauliflower (Apr 2), Cosmos (Apr 9), Lavender (Apr 9), Marigolds (Apr 9), Mint (Apr 9), +25 more. Last frost around April 9. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 21), Pumpkin (Jun 21), Cantaloupe (Jun 29), Celery (Jun 29), Melons (Jun 29). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jul 1), Tomato (Jul 4), Watermelon (Jul 4), Pepper (Jul 9), Tomatillos (Jul 9), Eggplant (Jul 14), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 2), Pole Beans (Aug 2), Basil (Aug 7), Cosmos (Aug 7), Cucumber (Aug 7), Zinnias (Aug 7), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 1), Carrots (Sep 1), Beets (Sep 2), Dill (Sep 2), Swiss Chard (Sep 2), Calendula (Sep 7), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 1), Spinach (Oct 1), Radish (Oct 2). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 3). First frost around November 3. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 24). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Cottonwood, AZ (ZIP 86326)?
The median last spring frost date for Cottonwood, AZ (ZIP code 86326) is around April 9. 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 March 19; one in ten it runs past May 1.
What is the first fall frost date in Cottonwood, AZ?
The median first fall frost date for Cottonwood, AZ is around November 3. 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 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Cottonwood, AZ?
The frost-free growing season in Cottonwood is about 208 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 Cottonwood (208 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 Cottonwood, AZ?
Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, AZ?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 5 and plant out Apr 23 in Cottonwood. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Cottonwood?
Two: plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10.
When do I plant garlic in Cottonwood?
Nov 3 to Nov 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Cottonwood?
Yes: plant out Apr 23 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 4 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Dewey (ZIP 86327) has 215 frost-free days, 7 more than Cottonwood (ZIP 86326). See Dewey ZIP 86327 frost dates
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