Frost dates for 85541 — Payson, AZ
Last spring frostApr 29median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season178 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Payson compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Payson falls between April 13 and May 20, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 11 and November 8.
- The median last frost is 13 days later than the Arizona median of Apr 16.
- Its 178-day growing season is longer than 39% of the 193 Arizona places with a regular frost season (state median 197 days).
- The last frost is 44 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 125 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Scottsdale, AZ, 91 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 13 |
| 50% (median) | April 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 11 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 90% (late) | November 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 Payson, AZ
Frost dates for 85541 — Payson, AZ — last frost Apr 29, first frost Oct 24, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to May 6Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Transplant outside: May 13 to Jun 3
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Payson, AZ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 1 – May 6 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Okra | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Basil | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 25 – May 6 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 10 – Nov 14 |
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 Payson, AZ weather station, 5 km away (elevation 4,849 ft (1,478 m)).
ZIP codes in Payson: 85541 85547
Frost dates near Payson
- Pine Apr 9 · Nov 10
- Young May 6 · Oct 20
- Tonto Basin Mar 7 · Nov 20
- Forest Lakes May 23 · Oct 5
- Happy Jack Jun 1 · Oct 3
- Camp Verde Apr 16 · Oct 30
- Rimrock Apr 16 · Oct 30
- Lake Montezuma Apr 16 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Payson, AZ?
The median last spring frost in Payson, AZ is April 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Payson, AZ?
The median first fall frost is October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 11.
How long is the growing season in Payson, AZ?
About 178 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Payson, AZ?
Payson, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.