Carefree, AZ frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 4median date
First fall frostDec 16median date
Growing season315 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
Frost is light and occasional here — typically a few cold nights around midwinter (about 6 a year). Cover tender plants when frost is forecast.
How Carefree compares
- In a typical year, frost nights in Carefree fall between December 16 and February 4. In 1 year in 10 the first frost comes as early as November 24, or the last frost as late as March 9.
- Compared with Scottsdale, AZ, 28 km away, the last frost here is 29 days later than there.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 3 |
| 50% (median) | February 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 24 |
| 50% (median) | December 16 |
| 90% (late) | January 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 Carefree, AZ
Carefree, AZ frost dates — last frost Feb 4, first frost Dec 16, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
In mild climates, summer heat limits many crops as much as frost does. Use this calendar for spring planting and lean on fall and winter for cool-season crops.
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 12 to Nov 26Transplant outside: Jan 7 to Jan 21
Start indoors: Nov 26 to Dec 10Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4
Start indoors: Nov 26 to Dec 10Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Jan 14 to Jan 28Sow outdoors: Jan 7 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 18
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Jan 7 to Jan 21Sow outdoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 28
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Jan 21 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Jan 14 to Jan 28Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Jan 21 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Sow outdoors: Dec 24 to Jan 14Sow outdoors: Dec 24 to Jan 14Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Dec 24 to Jan 14Sow outdoors: Dec 24 to Jan 14Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 11
Sow outdoors: Dec 31 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Dec 31 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Nov 4 to Nov 25
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 14Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 14Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 11
Plant for fall: Dec 2 to Jan 6Plant for fall: Dec 2 to Jan 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Carefree, AZ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 12 – Nov 26 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Nov 26 – Dec 10 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Nov 26 – Dec 10 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Jan 7 – Feb 11 | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Kale | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Oct 7 – Oct 28 |
| Broccoli | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | — | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cabbage | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | — | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | — | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Okra | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — |
| Basil | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Dec 24 – Jan 14 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Dec 24 – Jan 14 | Oct 21 – Nov 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Dec 31 – Feb 11 | Nov 4 – Nov 25 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 7 – Jan 14 | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Sep 30 – Oct 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 7 – Jan 14 | — | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Oct 7 – Oct 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 7 – Jan 14 | — | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 7 – Jan 14 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 11 | Sep 23 – Oct 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 11 | Oct 7 – Oct 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 21 – Feb 18 | Oct 7 – Oct 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 21 – Feb 11 | Oct 21 – Nov 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Sep 30 – Oct 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Dec 2 – Jan 6 |
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 Carefree, AZ weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 2,530 ft (771 m)).
Frost dates near Carefree
- Cave Creek Feb 4 · Dec 16
- New River Jan 15 · Dec 22
- Rio Verde Jan 6 · Dec 28
- Scottsdale Jan 6 · Dec 26
- Fountain Hills Jan 6 · Dec 28
- Paradise Valley Jan 6 · Dec 26
- Fort Mcdowell Jan 6 · Dec 28
- Black Canyon City Jan 15 · Dec 22
- Peoria Jan 20 · Dec 15
- Glendale Jan 20 · Dec 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Carefree, AZ?
The median last spring frost in Carefree, AZ is February 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Carefree, AZ?
The median first fall frost is December 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 24.
How long is the growing season in Carefree, AZ?
About 315 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Carefree, AZ?
Carefree, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.