Frost Dates for Sierra Vista, AZ 85650
Sierra Vista has 2 ZIP codes. The Sierra Vista, AZ frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 17 · First fall frost November 5 · 202 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 85650 has about 14,900 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Sierra Vista.
Long season: 202 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 29–May 5 (37 days). Fall frost risk spans October 22–November 19 (28 days).
Frost probability for 85650
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 5 | April 17 | March 29 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 22 | November 5 | November 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CORONADO NMEM (17.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 202-day season in Sierra Vista
In Sierra Vista (202 frost-free days, a 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 | Mar 13 | May 1–May 8 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after May 1. | Jul 6 |
| Pepper | Mar 6 | May 1–May 8 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after May 1. | Jul 11 |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 14 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 244 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 27. | Sep 3 |
| Cucumber | Mar 27 | May 1–May 8 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Beans | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Peas | — | Feb 20–May 1 | 265 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 265 available after Feb 20. | Aug 25 |
| Zucchini | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Onion | Jan 23 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 237 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 20–Apr 10 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Nov 26. | Oct 3 |
| Kale | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 237 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 20. | Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 251 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 20. | Sep 3 |
| Radish | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Oct 4 |
| Beets | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 223 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 5 | 307 | overwinter: Plant Nov 5 to Nov 26; harvest the following summer. | Nov 26 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 13–May 8 | 258 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 13; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 174 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 24. | Jul 18 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 3 | May 1–May 1 | 167 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 167 available after May 1. | Jun 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 216 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 10. | Aug 15 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 3 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Nov 26. | Oct 3 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 251 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 20. | Aug 4 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 167 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 167 available after May 1. | Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 | May 1–May 8 | 160 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 160 available after May 1. | Jul 16 |
| Okra | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Basil | Mar 13 | May 8–May 8 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 20–Apr 10 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 9 |
| Parsley | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 202 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 24. | Aug 20 |
| Celery | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 8 | 202 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 24. | Jul 1 |
| Scallions | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 13 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 23 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 14 |
| Collards | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 13 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 160 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 160 available after May 1. | Jul 1 |
| Chives | Jan 23 | Apr 24–May 1 | 216 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Oregano | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 216 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 23 | Apr 24–May 1 | 202 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Sage | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 216 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 216 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 9 |
| Cosmos | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Lavender | Jan 23 | Apr 17–May 1 | 223 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 6 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Melons | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 160 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 160 available after May 1. | Jul 1 |
| Mint | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 223 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 181 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 24. | Aug 4 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 1. | Jul 3 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 188 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 17. | Jul 30 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 167 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 24. | Jul 11 |
| Watermelon | Apr 3 | Apr 24–May 1 | 167 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 24. | Jul 6 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Zinnias | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
Month by month in Sierra Vista
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 23), Lavender (Jan 23), Onion (Jan 23), Rosemary (Jan 23). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 6), Collards (Feb 6), Kale (Feb 6), Oregano (Feb 6), Parsley (Feb 6), Scallions (Feb 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 20), Beets (Feb 20), Dill (Feb 20), Peas (Feb 20), Radish (Feb 20), Spinach (Feb 20). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 6), Cauliflower (Mar 6), Marigolds (Mar 6), Pepper (Mar 6), Basil (Mar 13), Tomato (Mar 13), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 6), Cilantro (Mar 20), Turnip (Mar 20), Carrots (Mar 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 20), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 20), Cabbage (Mar 20), Collards (Mar 20), Kale (Mar 20), Lettuce (Mar 20), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 13). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 3), Cantaloupe (Apr 3), Melons (Apr 3), Pumpkin (Apr 3), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 3), Watermelon (Apr 3), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 3), Sunflowers (Apr 17), Beans (Apr 24), Pole Beans (Apr 24). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 3), Swiss Chard (Apr 3), Bok Choy (Apr 10), Cauliflower (Apr 10), Cosmos (Apr 17), Lavender (Apr 17), +15 more. Last frost around April 17. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 1), Cantaloupe (May 1), Cucumber (May 1), Eggplant (May 1), Melons (May 1), Pepper (May 1), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 23), Pumpkin (Jun 23). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 1), Celery (Jul 1), Melons (Jul 1), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 3), Tomato (Jul 6), Watermelon (Jul 6), +5 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 4), Pole Beans (Aug 4), Basil (Aug 9), Cosmos (Aug 9), Cucumber (Aug 9), Zinnias (Aug 9), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 3), Carrots (Sep 3), Beets (Sep 4), Dill (Sep 4), Swiss Chard (Sep 4), Calendula (Sep 9), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 3), Spinach (Oct 3), Radish (Oct 4). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 5). First frost around November 5. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 26). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Sierra Vista, AZ (ZIP 85650)?
The median last spring frost date for Sierra Vista, AZ (ZIP code 85650) is around April 17. 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 March 29; one in ten it runs past May 5.
What is the first fall frost date in Sierra Vista, AZ?
The median first fall frost date for Sierra Vista, AZ is around November 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 October 22 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Sierra Vista, AZ?
The frost-free growing season in Sierra Vista is about 202 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 Sierra Vista (202 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Sierra Vista, AZ?
Sierra Vista, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (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 Sierra Vista, AZ?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 13 and plant out May 1 in Sierra Vista. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Sierra Vista?
Two: plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 12.
When do I plant garlic in Sierra Vista?
Nov 5 to Nov 26; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Sierra Vista?
Yes: plant out May 1 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 6 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Vail (ZIP 85641) has 286 frost-free days, 84 more than Sierra Vista (ZIP 85650). See Vail ZIP 85641 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 (4.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Hereford, AZ 85615 (7 mi)
- Frost dates for Vail, AZ 85641 (44.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Rio Rico, AZ 85648 (47.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Benson, AZ 85602 (47.9 mi)
- When to plant in AZ
- When to plant Peppers in AZ
- When to plant Cucumbers in AZ
- When to plant Zucchini in AZ
- When to plant Butternut Squash in AZ
- When to plant Basil in AZ
- When to plant Sweet Corn in AZ
- Look up another ZIP