Frost dates for 85548 — Safford, AZ
Last spring frostMar 25median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season229 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Safford compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Safford falls between March 5 and April 14, a 40-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 23 and November 25.
- The median last frost is 22 days earlier than the Arizona median of Apr 16.
- Its 229-day growing season is longer than 74% of the 193 Arizona places with a regular frost season (state median 197 days).
- The last frost is 9 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 70 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 5 |
| 50% (median) | March 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 23 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 90% (late) | November 25 |
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 85548 — Safford, AZ — last frost Mar 25, first frost Nov 9, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
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 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Feb 25 – Apr 1 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — |
| Basil | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 18 – Apr 1 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| 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 Safford Ag Ctr, AZ weather station, 7 km away (elevation 2,953 ft (900 m)).
ZIP codes in Safford: 85546 85548
Frost dates near Safford
- Thatcher Mar 25 · Nov 9
- Central Mar 25 · Nov 9
- Solomon Mar 25 · Nov 9
- Pima Apr 1 · Nov 6
- Eden Apr 1 · Nov 6
- Fort Thomas Apr 1 · Nov 6
- Morenci Feb 26 · Nov 23
- Bylas 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 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 14, 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 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 23.
How long is the growing season in Safford, AZ?
About 229 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.