Elgin, AZ frost dates
Last spring frostApr 18median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season197 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Elgin compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Elgin falls between April 4 and May 3, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 18 and November 15.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Arizona median of Apr 16.
- Its 197-day growing season is longer than 48% of the 193 Arizona places with a regular frost season (state median 197 days).
- The last frost is 20 days later than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 83 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Tucson, AZ, 74 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) | April 4 |
| 50% (median) | April 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 3 |
| 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 Elgin, AZ
Elgin, AZ frost dates — last frost Apr 18, first frost Nov 1, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Transplant outside: May 2 to May 23
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Elgin, AZ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 21 – Apr 25 | Sep 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Okra | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Basil | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 2 – May 23 | — | — |
| 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 Elgin 5 S, AZ weather station, 8 km away (elevation 4,810 ft (1,466 m)).
Frost dates near Elgin
- Sonoita Mar 28 · Nov 21
- Huachuca City Mar 16 · Nov 21
- Fort Huachuca Apr 5 · Nov 9
- Patagonia Apr 23 · Oct 30
- Sierra Vista Apr 5 · Nov 9
- Saint David Apr 12 · Nov 1
- Hereford Apr 7 · Nov 9
- Vail Jan 26 · Dec 16
- Benson Apr 12 · Nov 1
- Nogales Apr 16 · Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Elgin, AZ?
The median last spring frost in Elgin, AZ is April 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 3, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Elgin, 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 Elgin, AZ?
About 197 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Elgin, AZ?
Elgin, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.