Frost Dates for Prescott, AZ 86303
Prescott has 4 ZIP codes. The Prescott, AZ frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 4 · First fall frost October 21 · 170 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 86303 has about 19,400 people, one of 4 ZIP codes in Prescott.
Moderate season: 170 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 14–May 23 (39 days). Fall frost risk spans October 7–November 4 (28 days).
Frost probability for 86303
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 23 | May 4 | April 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 7 | October 21 | November 4 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CHINO VALLEY (29.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 170-day season in Prescott
In Prescott (170 frost-free days, a moderate 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 30 | May 18–May 25 | 128 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 128 available after May 18. | Jun 21 |
| Pepper | Mar 23 | May 18–May 25 | 128 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after May 18. | Jun 26 |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 212 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 13. | Aug 19 |
| Cucumber | Apr 13 | May 18–May 25 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Beans | — | May 11–May 25 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Peas | — | Mar 9–May 18 | 233 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 9. | Aug 10 |
| Zucchini | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Onion | Feb 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 205 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 9–Apr 27 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 205 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 6. | Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 6. | Aug 19 |
| Radish | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 19 |
| Beets | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 21 | 275 | overwinter: Plant Oct 21 to Nov 11; harvest the following summer. | Nov 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 30–May 25 | 226 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 30; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 11. | Jul 3 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 20 | May 18–May 18 | 135 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 135 available after May 18. | Jun 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 11 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 27. | Jul 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 9 | Apr 20–Apr 20 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 219 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 6. | Jul 20 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 135 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 135 available after May 18. | Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Mar 16 | May 18–May 25 | 128 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 128 available after May 18. | Jul 1 |
| Okra | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Basil | Mar 30 | May 25–May 25 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 25 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 6–Apr 27 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Parsley | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 170 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 170 available after May 11. | Aug 5 |
| Celery | Feb 23 | May 11–May 25 | 170 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 170 available after May 11. | Jun 16 |
| Scallions | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 4 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Collards | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 128 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 128 available after May 18. | Jun 16 |
| Chives | Feb 9 | May 11–May 18 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after May 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Oregano | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after May 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 9 | May 11–May 18 | 170 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 170 available after May 11. | — |
| Sage | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after May 11. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after May 11. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Cosmos | Apr 6 | May 4–May 18 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Lavender | Feb 9 | May 4–May 18 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after May 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 23 | May 4–May 11 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Melons | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 128 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 128 available after May 18. | Jun 16 |
| Mint | — | May 4–May 18 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after May 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 11–May 25 | 149 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 149 available after May 11. | Jul 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 135 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 135 available after May 18. | Jun 18 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 4–May 18 | 156 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 156 available after May 4. | Jul 15 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 11. | Jun 26 |
| Watermelon | Apr 20 | May 11–May 18 | 135 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 135 available after May 11. | Jun 21 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Zinnias | Apr 6 | May 4–May 18 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
Month by month in Prescott
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 9), Lavender (Feb 9), Onion (Feb 9), Rosemary (Feb 9), Celery (Feb 23), Collards (Feb 23), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 9), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 9), Cabbage (Mar 9), Lettuce (Mar 9), Sage (Mar 9), Swiss Chard (Mar 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 9), Beets (Mar 9), Dill (Mar 9), Peas (Mar 9), Radish (Mar 9), Spinach (Mar 9), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 30). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 6), Corn (Apr 6), Cosmos (Apr 6), Nasturtiums (Apr 6), Okra (Apr 6), Zinnias (Apr 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 6), Turnip (Apr 6), Carrots (Apr 13), Potatoes (Apr 20). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 6), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 6), Cabbage (Apr 6), Collards (Apr 6), Kale (Apr 6), Lettuce (Apr 6), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 4), Beans (May 11), Pole Beans (May 11). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 4), Lavender (May 4), Marigolds (May 4), Mint (May 4), Nasturtiums (May 4), Zinnias (May 4), +23 more. Last frost around May 4. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 8), Pumpkin (Jun 8), Cantaloupe (Jun 16), Celery (Jun 16), Melons (Jun 16), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 18), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 1), Corn (Jul 3), Sunflowers (Jul 15), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 20), Pole Beans (Jul 20), Basil (Jul 25), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Beans (Aug 1), Marigolds (Aug 4), Parsley (Aug 5), Peas (Aug 10), Cabbage (Aug 19), Carrots (Aug 19), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 3), Kohlrabi (Sep 3), Turnip (Sep 8), Arugula (Sep 18), Spinach (Sep 18), Radish (Sep 19). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 21). First frost around October 21. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 11). |
| 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 Prescott, AZ (ZIP 86303)?
The median last spring frost date for Prescott, AZ (ZIP code 86303) is around May 4. 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 14; one in ten it runs past May 23.
What is the first fall frost date in Prescott, AZ?
The median first fall frost date for Prescott, AZ is around October 21. 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 7 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Prescott, AZ?
The frost-free growing season in Prescott is about 170 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 Prescott (170 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Prescott, AZ?
Prescott, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (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 Prescott, AZ?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 30 and plant out May 18 in Prescott. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Prescott?
Two: plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28.
When do I plant garlic in Prescott?
Oct 21 to Nov 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Dewey (ZIP 86327) has 215 frost-free days, 45 more than Prescott (ZIP 86303). See Dewey ZIP 86327 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Prescott, AZ 86301 (7.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 (9.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Dewey, AZ 86327 (18.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Chino Valley, AZ 86323 (19.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Cottonwood, AZ 86326 (27.7 mi)
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