Willcox, AZ frost dates
Last spring frostApr 9median date
First fall frostOct 31median date
Growing season205 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Willcox compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Willcox falls between March 20 and April 29, a 40-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 20 and November 14.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Arizona median of Apr 16.
- Its 205-day growing season is longer than 54% of the 193 Arizona places with a regular frost season (state median 197 days).
- The last frost is 11 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 93 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Tucson, AZ, 104 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 20 |
| 50% (median) | April 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 31 |
| 90% (late) | November 14 |
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 Willcox, AZ
Willcox, AZ frost dates — last frost Apr 9, first frost Oct 31, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 14
Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Willcox, AZ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 12 – Apr 16 | Sep 5 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Okra | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Basil | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 16 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 17 – Nov 21 |
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 Willcox, AZ weather station, 6 km away (elevation 4,170 ft (1,271 m)).
ZIP codes in Willcox: 85643 85644
Frost dates near Willcox
- Cochise Apr 9 · Oct 31
- Bowie Apr 1 · Nov 6
- Dragoon Apr 14 · Nov 2
- Fort Huachuca (Cochise) Apr 14 · Nov 2
- Pearce Apr 14 · Nov 2
- Pomerene Apr 12 · Nov 1
- Benson Apr 12 · Nov 1
- Safford Mar 25 · Nov 9
- Saint David Apr 12 · Nov 1
- Solomon Mar 25 · Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Willcox, AZ?
The median last spring frost in Willcox, AZ is April 9. 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 Willcox, AZ?
The median first fall frost is October 31, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 20.
How long is the growing season in Willcox, AZ?
About 205 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Willcox, AZ?
Willcox, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.