Frost Dates for Mesa, AZ 85212
Mesa has 13 ZIP codes. The Mesa, AZ frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 14 · First fall frost November 27 · 286 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 85212 has about 55,300 people, one of 13 ZIP codes in Mesa.
Very long season: 286 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 12–March 19 (66 days). Fall frost risk spans November 11–December 13 (32 days).
Frost probability for 85212
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 19 | February 14 | January 12 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 11 | November 27 | December 13 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CHANDLER HEIGHTS (13.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 286-day season in Mesa
In Mesa (286 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 10 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 244 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 244 available after Feb 28. | Jul 28 |
| Pepper | Jan 3 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 244 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 244 available after Feb 28. | Aug 2 |
| Lettuce | Dec 20 | Jan 17–Jan 24 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 6 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 24–Jan 31 | 328 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 328 available after Jan 24. | Sep 25 |
| Cucumber | Jan 24 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Beans | — | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Peas | — | Dec 20–Feb 28 | 349 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 349 available after Dec 20. | Sep 16 |
| Zucchini | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Onion | Nov 22 | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 321 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 321 available after Jan 17. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 20–Feb 7 | 363 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 20 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 25 |
| Kale | Dec 6 | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Broccoli | Dec 20 | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 321 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 321 available after Jan 17. | Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Dec 20 | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 335 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 335 available after Jan 17. | Sep 25 |
| Radish | — | Dec 20–Mar 14 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 20 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 26 |
| Beets | — | Dec 20–Mar 14 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 20 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 31–Feb 7 | 307 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 307 available after Jan 31. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 27 | 391 | overwinter: Plant Nov 27 to Dec 18; harvest the following summer. | Dec 18 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 10–Mar 7 | 342 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 10; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 17 | Feb 21–Feb 28 | 258 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 258 available after Feb 21. | Aug 9 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Feb 28 | 251 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 251 available after Feb 28. | Jul 15 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 3 | Feb 7–Feb 21 | 300 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 7. | Sep 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 20 | Jan 31–Jan 31 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 20–Mar 14 | 363 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 20 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 20 | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 335 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 335 available after Jan 17. | Aug 26 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 251 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 251 available after Feb 28. | Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Dec 27 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 244 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 244 available after Feb 28. | Aug 7 |
| Okra | Jan 17 | Feb 21–Feb 28 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Basil | Jan 10 | Mar 7–Mar 7 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 17–Feb 7 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 1 |
| Parsley | Dec 6 | Feb 21–Feb 28 | 286 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 21. | Sep 11 |
| Celery | Dec 6 | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 286 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 21. | Jul 23 |
| Scallions | Dec 6 | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 5 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 3–Jan 17 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 3 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 17 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 6 |
| Collards | Dec 6 | Jan 17–Jan 31 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 17 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 244 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 244 available after Feb 28. | Jul 23 |
| Chives | Nov 22 | Feb 21–Feb 28 | 300 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 21. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 20–Mar 14 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 20 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Oregano | Dec 6 | Feb 21–Feb 28 | 300 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 21. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 22 | Feb 21–Feb 28 | 286 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 21. | — |
| Sage | Dec 20 | Feb 21–Feb 28 | 300 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 21. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 6 | Feb 21–Feb 28 | 300 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 21. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 1 |
| Cosmos | Jan 17 | Feb 14–Feb 28 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Lavender | Nov 22 | Feb 14–Feb 28 | 307 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 307 available after Feb 14. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 3 | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Melons | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 244 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 244 available after Feb 28. | Jul 23 |
| Mint | — | Feb 14–Feb 28 | 307 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 307 available after Feb 14. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 17 | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 265 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 265 available after Feb 21. | Aug 26 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 251 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 251 available after Feb 28. | Jul 25 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 14–Feb 28 | 272 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 272 available after Feb 14. | Aug 21 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 20 | Feb 21–Feb 28 | 251 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 251 available after Feb 21. | Aug 2 |
| Watermelon | Jan 31 | Feb 21–Feb 28 | 251 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 251 available after Feb 21. | Jul 28 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Zinnias | Jan 17 | Feb 14–Feb 28 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
Month by month in Mesa
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Calendula (Jan 3), Cauliflower (Jan 3), Marigolds (Jan 3), Pepper (Jan 3), Basil (Jan 10), Tomato (Jan 10), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Jan 3), Cilantro (Jan 17), Turnip (Jan 17), Carrots (Jan 24), Potatoes (Jan 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 17), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 17), Cabbage (Jan 17), Collards (Jan 17), Kale (Jan 17), Lettuce (Jan 17), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 10). |
| February | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Feb 14), Beans (Feb 21), Pole Beans (Feb 21). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Feb 7), Cauliflower (Feb 7), Cosmos (Feb 14), Lavender (Feb 14), Marigolds (Feb 14), Mint (Feb 14), +24 more. Last frost around February 14. |
| March | Transplant from: Basil (Mar 7). |
| 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 15), Pumpkin (Jul 15), Cantaloupe (Jul 23), Celery (Jul 23), Melons (Jul 23), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 25), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 2), Tomatillos (Aug 2), Eggplant (Aug 7), Corn (Aug 9), Sunflowers (Aug 21), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 26), +5 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Sep 1), Nasturtiums (Sep 5), Okra (Sep 5), Yellow Squash (Sep 5), Zucchini (Sep 5), Cauliflower (Sep 6), +9 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 1), Cilantro (Oct 1), Collards (Oct 5), Scallions (Oct 5), Bok Choy (Oct 6), Lettuce (Oct 6), +6 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 22), Lavender (Nov 22), Onion (Nov 22), Rosemary (Nov 22). Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 27). First frost around November 27. |
| December | Start indoors: Celery (Dec 6), Collards (Dec 6), Kale (Dec 6), Oregano (Dec 6), Parsley (Dec 6), Scallions (Dec 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 20), Beets (Dec 20), Dill (Dec 20), Peas (Dec 20), Radish (Dec 20), Spinach (Dec 20). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 18). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Mesa, AZ (ZIP 85212)?
The median last spring frost date for Mesa, AZ (ZIP code 85212) is around February 14. 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 19.
What is the first fall frost date in Mesa, AZ?
The median first fall frost date for Mesa, AZ is around November 27. 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 11 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Mesa, AZ?
The frost-free growing season in Mesa is about 286 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 Mesa (286 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 Mesa, AZ?
Mesa, 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 Mesa, AZ?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 10 and plant out Feb 28 in Mesa. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Mesa?
Two: plant Jan 17 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4.
When do I plant garlic in Mesa?
Nov 27 to Dec 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Mesa?
Yes: plant out Feb 28 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 28 for a fall crop.
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