Frost Dates for Prescott, AZ 86305

Last spring frost May 7 · First fall frost October 18 · 164 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b

ZIP 86305 has about 19,800 people, one of 4 ZIP codes in Prescott.

Moderate season: 164 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 22–May 25 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans September 30–November 4 (35 days).

Frost probability for 86305

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 25May 7April 22
Fall (first frost)September 30October 18November 4

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PRESCOTT (38.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 164-day season in Prescott

In Prescott (164 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoApr 2May 21–May 28122fits: 80 days to maturity, 122 available after May 21.Jun 18
PepperMar 26May 21–May 28122fits: 75 days to maturity, 122 available after May 21.Jun 23
LettuceMar 12Apr 9–Apr 16199two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25.Aug 27
Carrots—Apr 16–Apr 23206fits: 70 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 16.Aug 16
CucumberApr 16May 21–May 28136two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4.Jul 22
Beans—May 14–May 28150two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11.Jul 29
Peas—Mar 12–May 21227fits: 65 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 12.Aug 7
ZucchiniApr 23May 21–May 28136two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4.Jul 27
OnionFeb 12Apr 9–Apr 23199fits: 100 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 9.—
Spinach—Mar 12–Apr 30241two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 8.Sep 15
KaleFeb 26Apr 9–Apr 23213two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8.Aug 31
BroccoliMar 12Apr 9–Apr 23199fits: 80 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 9.Jul 23
CabbageMar 12Apr 9–Apr 23213fits: 70 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 9.Aug 16
Radish—Mar 12–Jun 4227two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Oct 25.Sep 16
Beets—Mar 12–Jun 4227two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25.Aug 17
Potatoes—Apr 23–Apr 30185fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 23.—
Garlic—Oct 18269overwinter: Plant Oct 18 to Nov 8; harvest the following summer.Nov 8
Strawberry—Apr 2–May 28220perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 2; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 9May 14–May 21136fits: 75 days to maturity, 136 available after May 14.Jun 30
PumpkinApr 23May 21–May 21129fits: 100 days to maturity, 129 available after May 21.Jun 5
CauliflowerMar 26Apr 30–May 14178fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 30.Jul 28
Swiss ChardMar 12Apr 23–Apr 23185two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25.Aug 17
Arugula—Mar 12–Jun 4241two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 8.Sep 15
Brussel SproutsMar 12Apr 9–Apr 23213fits: 100 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 9.Jul 17
Butternut SquashApr 23May 21–May 28129fits: 100 days to maturity, 129 available after May 21.Jun 5
EggplantMar 19May 21–May 28122fits: 70 days to maturity, 122 available after May 21.Jun 28
OkraApr 9May 14–May 21143two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4.Jul 27
BasilApr 2May 28–May 28129fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 28.Jul 22
Cilantro—Apr 9–Apr 30199two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25.Aug 22
ParsleyFeb 26May 14–May 21164fits: 70 days to maturity, 164 available after May 14.Aug 2
CeleryFeb 26May 14–May 28164fits: 120 days to maturity, 164 available after May 14.Jun 13
ScallionsFeb 26Apr 9–Apr 23213two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8.Aug 26
Turnip—Apr 9–Apr 23213two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8.Sep 5
Kohlrabi—Mar 26–Apr 9227two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8.Aug 31
Bok ChoyApr 9Apr 30–May 7178two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25.Aug 27
CollardsFeb 26Apr 9–Apr 23213two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8.Aug 26
CantaloupeApr 23May 21–May 28122fits: 85 days to maturity, 122 available after May 21.Jun 13
ChivesFeb 12May 14–May 21178fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 14.—
Dill—Mar 12–Jun 4227two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25.Aug 17
OreganoFeb 26May 14–May 21178fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after May 14.—
RosemaryFeb 12May 14–May 21164fits: 80 days to maturity, 164 available after May 14.—
SageMar 12May 14–May 21178fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after May 14.—
ThymeFeb 26May 14–May 21178fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 14.—
CalendulaMar 26Apr 23–May 7185two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25.Aug 22
CosmosApr 9May 7–May 21150two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4.Jul 22
LavenderFeb 12May 7–May 21185fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after May 7.—
MarigoldsMar 26May 7–May 14150two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4.Aug 1
MelonsApr 23May 21–May 28122fits: 85 days to maturity, 122 available after May 21.Jun 13
Mint—May 7–May 21185fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after May 7.—
NasturtiumsApr 9May 7–May 14150two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4.Jul 27
Pole Beans—May 14–May 28143fits: 65 days to maturity, 143 available after May 14.Jul 17
Spaghetti SquashApr 23May 21–May 28129fits: 90 days to maturity, 129 available after May 21.Jun 15
Sunflowers—May 7–May 21150fits: 70 days to maturity, 150 available after May 7.Jul 12
TomatillosMar 12May 14–May 21129fits: 75 days to maturity, 129 available after May 14.Jun 23
WatermelonApr 23May 14–May 21129fits: 80 days to maturity, 129 available after May 14.Jun 18
Yellow SquashApr 23May 21–May 28136two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4.Jul 27
ZinniasApr 9May 7–May 21150two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4.Jul 22

Month by month in Prescott

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 12), Lavender (Feb 12), Onion (Feb 12), Rosemary (Feb 12), Celery (Feb 26), Collards (Feb 26), +5 more.
MarchStart indoors: Broccoli (Mar 12), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 12), Cabbage (Mar 12), Lettuce (Mar 12), Sage (Mar 12), Swiss Chard (Mar 12), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 12), Beets (Mar 12), Dill (Mar 12), Peas (Mar 12), Radish (Mar 12), Spinach (Mar 12), +1 more.
AprilStart indoors: Basil (Apr 2), Tomato (Apr 2), Bok Choy (Apr 9), Corn (Apr 9), Cosmos (Apr 9), Nasturtiums (Apr 9), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 9), Turnip (Apr 9), Carrots (Apr 16), Potatoes (Apr 23). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 9), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 9), Cabbage (Apr 9), Collards (Apr 9), Kale (Apr 9), Lettuce (Apr 9), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 2).
MayDirect sow from: Sunflowers (May 7), Beans (May 14), Pole Beans (May 14). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 7), Lavender (May 7), Marigolds (May 7), Mint (May 7), Nasturtiums (May 7), Zinnias (May 7), +23 more. Last frost around May 7.
JuneLast sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 5), Pumpkin (Jun 5), Cantaloupe (Jun 13), Celery (Jun 13), Melons (Jun 13), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 15), +6 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 12), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 17), Pole Beans (Jul 17), Basil (Jul 22), Cosmos (Jul 22), Cucumber (Jul 22), +8 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 1), Parsley (Aug 2), Peas (Aug 7), Cabbage (Aug 16), Carrots (Aug 16), Beets (Aug 17), +10 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 5), Arugula (Sep 15), Spinach (Sep 15), Radish (Sep 16).
OctoberDirect sow from: Garlic (Oct 18). First frost around October 18.
NovemberLast sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 8).
DecemberClean 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 86305)?

The median last spring frost date for Prescott, AZ (ZIP code 86305) is around May 7. 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 22; one in ten it runs past May 25.

What is the first fall frost date in Prescott, AZ?

The median first fall frost date for Prescott, AZ is around October 18. 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 September 30 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 164 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 (164 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 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 Apr 2 and plant out May 21 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 9 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25.

When do I plant garlic in Prescott?

Oct 18 to Nov 8; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?

Dewey (ZIP 86327) has 215 frost-free days, 51 more than Prescott (ZIP 86305). See Dewey ZIP 86327 frost dates

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