Frost dates for 85546 — Safford, AZ
Last spring frostMar 8median date
First fall frostNov 20median date
Growing season257 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Safford compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Safford falls between February 18 and March 27, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 4 and December 2.
- The median last frost is 39 days earlier than the Arizona median of Apr 16.
- Its 257-day growing season is longer than 85% of the 193 Arizona places with a regular frost season (state median 197 days).
- The last frost is 8 days earlier 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 44 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 18 |
| 50% (median) | March 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 4 |
| 50% (median) | November 20 |
| 90% (late) | December 2 |
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 Safford, AZ
Frost dates for 85546 — Safford, AZ — last frost Mar 8, first frost Nov 20, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 14 to Dec 28Transplant outside: Feb 8 to Feb 22
Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 8 to Feb 22Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Sow outdoors: Jan 25 to Feb 15Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 25 to Feb 15Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Oct 30
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 12
Plant for fall: Nov 6 to Dec 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Safford, AZ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 8 – Mar 15 | Sep 25 – Oct 23 |
| Kale | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Broccoli | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Okra | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — |
| Basil | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 25 – Feb 15 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 25 – Feb 15 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 1 – Mar 15 | Oct 9 – Oct 30 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 22 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 6 – Dec 11 |
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 Safford Muni Ap, AZ weather station, 3 km away (elevation 3,176 ft (968 m)).
ZIP codes in Safford: 85546 85548
Frost dates near Safford
- Solomon Mar 25 · Nov 9
- Thatcher Mar 25 · Nov 9
- Central Mar 25 · Nov 9
- Pima Apr 1 · Nov 6
- Eden Apr 1 · Nov 6
- Morenci Feb 26 · Nov 23
- Duncan Apr 24 · Oct 25
- Fort Thomas Apr 1 · Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Safford, AZ?
The median last spring frost in Safford, AZ is March 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Safford, AZ?
The median first fall frost is November 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 4.
How long is the growing season in Safford, AZ?
About 257 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Safford, AZ?
Safford, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.