Benson, AZ frost dates
Last spring frostApr 12median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season203 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Benson compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Benson falls between March 26 and April 29, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 18 and November 15.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Arizona median of Apr 16.
- Its 203-day growing season is longer than 52% of the 193 Arizona places with a regular frost season (state median 197 days).
- The last frost is 27 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 93 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Tucson, AZ, 67 km away, gets only light, occasional frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 26 |
| 50% (median) | April 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 18 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 90% (late) | November 15 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Benson, AZ
Benson, AZ frost dates — last frost Apr 12, first frost Nov 1, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 17
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Benson, AZ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 15 – Apr 19 | Sep 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Okra | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Basil | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 19 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 18 – Nov 22 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Benson 6se, AZ weather station, 13 km away (elevation 3,691 ft (1,125 m)).
Frost dates near Benson
- Pomerene Apr 12 · Nov 1
- Saint David Apr 12 · Nov 1
- Dragoon Apr 14 · Nov 2
- Huachuca City Mar 16 · Nov 21
- Cochise Apr 9 · Oct 31
- Tombstone Mar 4 · Nov 29
- Vail Jan 26 · Dec 16
- Elgin Apr 18 · Nov 1
- Sonoita Mar 28 · Nov 21
- Sierra Vista Apr 5 · Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Benson, AZ?
The median last spring frost in Benson, AZ is April 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Benson, AZ?
The median first fall frost is November 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 18.
How long is the growing season in Benson, AZ?
About 203 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Benson, AZ?
Benson, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.