Maricopa, AZ frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 23median date
First fall frostNov 24median date
Growing season274 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Maricopa compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Maricopa falls between January 29 and March 15, a 45-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 10 and December 8.
- The median last frost is 52 days earlier than the Arizona median of Apr 16.
- Its 274-day growing season is longer than 92% of the 193 Arizona places with a regular frost season (state median 197 days).
- The last frost is 8 days earlier than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 32 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Casa Grande, AZ, 29 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) | January 29 |
| 50% (median) | February 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 10 |
| 50% (median) | November 24 |
| 90% (late) | December 8 |
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 Maricopa, AZ
Maricopa, AZ frost dates — last frost Feb 23, first frost Nov 24, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Jan 26 to Feb 9
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 27
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Jan 26 to Feb 9Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Sow outdoors: Jan 12 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Jan 12 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Sow outdoors: Jan 19 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 3
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 2Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 2Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 30
Plant for fall: Nov 10 to Dec 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Maricopa, AZ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Jan 26 – Mar 2 | Sep 29 – Oct 27 |
| Kale | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Broccoli | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cabbage | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Okra | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — |
| Basil | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 12 – Feb 2 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 12 – Feb 2 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 19 – Mar 2 | Oct 13 – Nov 3 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 26 – Feb 2 | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 26 – Feb 2 | — | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 26 – Feb 2 | — | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 26 – Feb 2 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 2 – Mar 2 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 2 – Mar 2 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 9 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 10 – Dec 15 |
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 Maricopa 4 N, AZ weather station, 15 km away (elevation 1,161 ft (354 m)).
ZIP codes in Maricopa: 85138 85139
Frost dates near Maricopa
- Stanfield Feb 5 · Dec 6
- Bapchule Feb 23 · Nov 24
- Sacaton Feb 1 · Dec 11
- Casa Grande Feb 5 · Dec 6
- Chandler Feb 13 · Dec 5
- Chandler Heights Feb 1 · Dec 11
- Arizona City Feb 28 · Nov 21
- Coolidge Feb 17 · Nov 29
- Gilbert Feb 1 · Dec 11
- Laveen Jan 14 · Dec 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Maricopa, AZ?
The median last spring frost in Maricopa, AZ is February 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Maricopa, AZ?
The median first fall frost is November 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 10.
How long is the growing season in Maricopa, AZ?
About 274 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Maricopa, AZ?
Maricopa, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.