Frost Dates for Maricopa, AZ 85138
Last spring frost March 3 · First fall frost November 23 · 265 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 85138 has about 55,300 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Maricopa.
Very long season: 265 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 31–April 3 (62 days). Fall frost risk spans November 4–December 12 (38 days).
Frost probability for 85138
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 3 | March 3 | January 31 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 4 | November 23 | December 12 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SACATON (21.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Maricopa, AZ
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85138 | March 3 | November 23 | 9a |
| 85139 | March 3 | November 23 | 9a |
Which crops fit a 265-day season in Maricopa
In Maricopa (265 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 27 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 223 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 17. | Jul 24 |
| Pepper | Jan 20 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 223 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 17. | Jul 29 |
| Lettuce | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 2 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 307 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 307 available after Feb 10. | Sep 21 |
| Cucumber | Feb 10 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Beans | — | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Peas | — | Jan 6–Mar 17 | 328 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 328 available after Jan 6. | Sep 12 |
| Zucchini | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Onion | Dec 9 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 300 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 6–Feb 24 | 342 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 21 |
| Kale | Dec 23 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 314 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 6 |
| Broccoli | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 300 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 3. | Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 314 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 314 available after Feb 3. | Sep 21 |
| Radish | — | Jan 6–Mar 31 | 328 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 22 |
| Beets | — | Jan 6–Mar 31 | 328 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 286 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 23 | 370 | overwinter: Plant Nov 23 to Dec 14; harvest the following summer. | Dec 14 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 27–Mar 24 | 321 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 27; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 3 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 237 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 10. | Aug 5 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 17 | 230 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 17. | Jul 11 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 20 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 279 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 279 available after Feb 24. | Sep 2 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 6 | Feb 17–Feb 17 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 6–Mar 31 | 342 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 21 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 314 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 314 available after Feb 3. | Aug 22 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 230 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 17. | Jul 11 |
| Eggplant | Jan 13 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 223 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 17. | Aug 3 |
| Okra | Feb 3 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Basil | Jan 27 | Mar 24–Mar 24 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 3–Feb 24 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 27 |
| Parsley | Dec 23 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 265 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 10. | Sep 7 |
| Celery | Dec 23 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 265 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 10. | Jul 19 |
| Scallions | Dec 23 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 314 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 1 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 314 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 11 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 328 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 6 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 3 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 2 |
| Collards | Dec 23 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 314 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 1 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 223 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 17. | Jul 19 |
| Chives | Dec 9 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 279 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 279 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 6–Mar 31 | 328 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Oregano | Dec 23 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 279 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 279 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 9 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 265 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Sage | Jan 6 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 279 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 279 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 23 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 279 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 279 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 27 |
| Cosmos | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Lavender | Dec 9 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 286 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 286 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Melons | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 223 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 17. | Jul 19 |
| Mint | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 286 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 286 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 244 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 10. | Aug 22 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 230 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 17. | Jul 21 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 251 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 3. | Aug 17 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 6 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 230 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 10. | Jul 29 |
| Watermelon | Feb 17 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 230 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 10. | Jul 24 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Zinnias | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
Month by month in Maricopa
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 6), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 6), Cabbage (Jan 6), Lettuce (Jan 6), Sage (Jan 6), Swiss Chard (Jan 6), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 6), Beets (Jan 6), Dill (Jan 6), Peas (Jan 6), Radish (Jan 6), Spinach (Jan 6), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 27). |
| February | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Feb 3), Corn (Feb 3), Cosmos (Feb 3), Nasturtiums (Feb 3), Okra (Feb 3), Zinnias (Feb 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Feb 3), Turnip (Feb 3), Carrots (Feb 10), Potatoes (Feb 17). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 3), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 3), Cabbage (Feb 3), Collards (Feb 3), Kale (Feb 3), Lettuce (Feb 3), +6 more. |
| March | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Mar 3), Beans (Mar 10), Pole Beans (Mar 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (Mar 3), Lavender (Mar 3), Marigolds (Mar 3), Mint (Mar 3), Nasturtiums (Mar 3), Zinnias (Mar 3), +23 more. Last frost around March 3. |
| April | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 11), Pumpkin (Jul 11), Cantaloupe (Jul 19), Celery (Jul 19), Melons (Jul 19), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 21), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Aug 3), Corn (Aug 5), Sunflowers (Aug 17), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 22), Pole Beans (Aug 22), Basil (Aug 27), +4 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Sep 1), Okra (Sep 1), Yellow Squash (Sep 1), Zucchini (Sep 1), Cauliflower (Sep 2), Beans (Sep 3), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Collards (Oct 1), Scallions (Oct 1), Bok Choy (Oct 2), Lettuce (Oct 2), Kale (Oct 6), Kohlrabi (Oct 6), +4 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 23). First frost around November 23. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 9), Lavender (Dec 9), Onion (Dec 9), Rosemary (Dec 9), Celery (Dec 23), Collards (Dec 23), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 14). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Maricopa, AZ (ZIP 85138)?
The median last spring frost date for Maricopa, AZ (ZIP code 85138) is around March 3. 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 31; one in ten it runs past April 3.
What is the first fall frost date in Maricopa, AZ?
The median first fall frost date for Maricopa, AZ is around November 23. 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 4 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Maricopa, AZ?
The frost-free growing season in Maricopa is about 265 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 Maricopa (265 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 Maricopa, AZ?
Maricopa, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (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 Maricopa, AZ?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 27 and plant out Mar 17 in Maricopa. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Maricopa?
Two: plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 30.
When do I plant garlic in Maricopa?
Nov 23 to Dec 14; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Maricopa?
Yes: plant out Mar 17 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 24 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Laveen (ZIP 85339) has 300 frost-free days, 35 more than Maricopa (ZIP 85138). See Laveen ZIP 85339 frost dates
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