Frost Dates for Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Last spring frost February 8 · First fall frost December 5 · 300 frost-free days · USDA Zone 10a
ZIP 85253 has about 17,900 people.
Very long season: 300 frost-free days.
Frost probability for 85253
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 7 | February 8 | — |
| Fall (first frost) | November 12 | December 5 | — |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SOUTH PHOENIX (20.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 300-day season in Paradise Valley
In Paradise Valley (300 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 4 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 258 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 258 available after Feb 22. | Aug 5 |
| Pepper | Dec 28 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 258 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 258 available after Feb 22. | Aug 10 |
| Lettuce | Dec 14 | Jan 11–Jan 18 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 11 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 14 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 18–Jan 25 | 342 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 342 available after Jan 18. | Oct 3 |
| Cucumber | Jan 18 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 8 |
| Beans | — | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 15 |
| Peas | — | Dec 14–Feb 22 | 363 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 363 available after Dec 14. | Sep 24 |
| Zucchini | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 13 |
| Onion | Nov 16 | Jan 11–Jan 25 | 335 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 335 available after Jan 11. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 14–Feb 1 | 377 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 14 and again by Nov 2; both mature before Dec 26. | Nov 2 |
| Kale | Nov 30 | Jan 11–Jan 25 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 11 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 26. | Oct 18 |
| Broccoli | Dec 14 | Jan 11–Jan 25 | 335 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 335 available after Jan 11. | Sep 9 |
| Cabbage | Dec 14 | Jan 11–Jan 25 | 349 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 349 available after Jan 11. | Oct 3 |
| Radish | — | Dec 14–Mar 8 | 363 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 14 and again by Nov 3; both mature before Dec 12. | Nov 3 |
| Beets | — | Dec 14–Mar 8 | 363 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 14 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 4 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 25–Feb 1 | 321 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 321 available after Jan 25. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 5 | 405 | overwinter: Plant Dec 5 to Dec 26; harvest the following summer. | Dec 26 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 4–Mar 1 | 356 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 4; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 11 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 272 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 272 available after Feb 15. | Aug 17 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Feb 22 | 265 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 265 available after Feb 22. | Jul 23 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 28 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 314 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 314 available after Feb 1. | Sep 14 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 14 | Jan 25–Jan 25 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 25 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 4 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 14–Mar 8 | 377 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 14 and again by Nov 2; both mature before Dec 26. | Nov 2 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 14 | Jan 11–Jan 25 | 349 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 349 available after Jan 11. | Sep 3 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 265 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 265 available after Feb 22. | Jul 23 |
| Eggplant | Dec 21 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 258 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 258 available after Feb 22. | Aug 15 |
| Okra | Jan 11 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 13 |
| Basil | Jan 4 | Mar 1–Mar 1 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 8 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 11–Feb 1 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 11 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 9 |
| Parsley | Nov 30 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 300 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 15. | Sep 19 |
| Celery | Nov 30 | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 300 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 15. | Jul 31 |
| Scallions | Nov 30 | Jan 11–Jan 25 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 11 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 26. | Oct 13 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 11–Jan 25 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 11 and again by Oct 23; both mature before Dec 26. | Oct 23 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 28–Jan 11 | 363 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 28 and again by Oct 18; both mature before Dec 26. | Oct 18 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 11 | Feb 1–Feb 8 | 314 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 14 |
| Collards | Nov 30 | Jan 11–Jan 25 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 11 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 26. | Oct 13 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 258 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 258 available after Feb 22. | Jul 31 |
| Chives | Nov 16 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 314 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 314 available after Feb 15. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 14–Mar 8 | 363 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 14 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 4 |
| Oregano | Nov 30 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 314 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 314 available after Feb 15. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 16 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 300 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 15. | — |
| Sage | Dec 14 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 314 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 314 available after Feb 15. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 30 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 314 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 314 available after Feb 15. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 28 | Jan 25–Feb 8 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 25 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 12. | Oct 9 |
| Cosmos | Jan 11 | Feb 8–Feb 22 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 8 |
| Lavender | Nov 16 | Feb 8–Feb 22 | 321 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 321 available after Feb 8. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 28 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 18 |
| Melons | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 258 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 258 available after Feb 22. | Jul 31 |
| Mint | — | Feb 8–Feb 22 | 321 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 321 available after Feb 8. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 11 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 13 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 279 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 279 available after Feb 15. | Sep 3 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 265 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 265 available after Feb 22. | Aug 2 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 8–Feb 22 | 286 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 8. | Aug 29 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 14 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 265 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 265 available after Feb 15. | Aug 10 |
| Watermelon | Jan 25 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 265 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 265 available after Feb 15. | Aug 5 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 13 |
| Zinnias | Jan 11 | Feb 8–Feb 22 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 8 |
Month by month in Paradise Valley
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Basil (Jan 4), Tomato (Jan 4), Bok Choy (Jan 11), Corn (Jan 11), Cosmos (Jan 11), Nasturtiums (Jan 11), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jan 11), Turnip (Jan 11), Carrots (Jan 18), Potatoes (Jan 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 11), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 11), Cabbage (Jan 11), Collards (Jan 11), Kale (Jan 11), Lettuce (Jan 11), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 4). |
| February | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Feb 8), Beans (Feb 15), Pole Beans (Feb 15). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Feb 1), Cauliflower (Feb 1), Cosmos (Feb 8), Lavender (Feb 8), Marigolds (Feb 8), Mint (Feb 8), +24 more. Last frost around February 8. |
| March | Transplant from: Basil (Mar 1). |
| 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 23), Pumpkin (Jul 23), Cantaloupe (Jul 31), Celery (Jul 31), Melons (Jul 31). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Aug 2), Tomato (Aug 5), Watermelon (Aug 5), Pepper (Aug 10), Tomatillos (Aug 10), Eggplant (Aug 15), +2 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Sep 3), Pole Beans (Sep 3), Basil (Sep 8), Cosmos (Sep 8), Cucumber (Sep 8), Zinnias (Sep 8), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Oct 3), Carrots (Oct 3), Beets (Oct 4), Dill (Oct 4), Swiss Chard (Oct 4), Calendula (Oct 9), +8 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 16), Lavender (Nov 16), Onion (Nov 16), Rosemary (Nov 16), Celery (Nov 30), Collards (Nov 30), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Arugula (Nov 2), Spinach (Nov 2), Radish (Nov 3). |
| December | Start indoors: Broccoli (Dec 14), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 14), Cabbage (Dec 14), Lettuce (Dec 14), Sage (Dec 14), Swiss Chard (Dec 14), +6 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 5), Arugula (Dec 14), Beets (Dec 14), Dill (Dec 14), Peas (Dec 14), Radish (Dec 14), +2 more. First frost around December 5. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 26). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Paradise Valley, AZ (ZIP 85253)?
The median last spring frost date for Paradise Valley, AZ (ZIP code 85253) is around February 8. 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.
What is the first fall frost date in Paradise Valley, AZ?
The median first fall frost date for Paradise Valley, AZ is around December 5. 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 Paradise Valley, AZ?
The frost-free growing season in Paradise Valley is about 300 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 Paradise Valley (300 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 Paradise Valley, AZ?
Paradise Valley, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 10a (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 Paradise Valley, AZ?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 4 and plant out Feb 22 in Paradise Valley. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Paradise Valley?
Two: plant Jan 11 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 12.
When do I plant garlic in Paradise Valley?
Dec 5 to Dec 26; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Paradise Valley?
Yes: plant out Feb 22 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 5 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Scottsdale (ZIP 85254) has 310 frost-free days, 10 more than Paradise Valley (ZIP 85253). See Scottsdale ZIP 85254 frost dates
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