Sierra Vista, AZ frost dates
Last spring frostApr 5median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season218 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Sierra Vista compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sierra Vista falls between March 15 and April 21, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 23 and November 23.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Arizona median of Apr 16.
- Its 218-day growing season is longer than 58% of the 193 Arizona places with a regular frost season (state median 197 days).
- The last frost is 20 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 45 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Tucson, AZ, 98 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 15 |
| 50% (median) | April 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 23 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 90% (late) | November 23 |
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 Sierra Vista, AZ
Sierra Vista, AZ frost dates — last frost Apr 5, first frost Nov 9, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 10
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sierra Vista, AZ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 8 – Apr 12 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Basil | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 1 – Apr 12 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 26 – Nov 30 |
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 Sierra Vista, AZ weather station, 3 km away (elevation 4,606 ft (1,404 m)).
ZIP codes in Sierra Vista: 85635 85636 85650 85671
Frost dates near Sierra Vista
- Fort Huachuca Apr 5 · Nov 9
- Huachuca City Mar 16 · Nov 21
- Hereford Apr 7 · Nov 9
- Tombstone Mar 4 · Nov 29
- Elgin Apr 18 · Nov 1
- Sonoita Mar 28 · Nov 21
- Saint David Apr 12 · Nov 1
- Bisbee Apr 1 · Nov 10
- Naco Apr 1 · Nov 10
- Mc Neal Apr 1 · Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sierra Vista, AZ?
The median last spring frost in Sierra Vista, AZ is April 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sierra Vista, AZ?
The median first fall frost is November 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 23.
How long is the growing season in Sierra Vista, AZ?
About 218 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sierra Vista, AZ?
Sierra Vista, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.