Grand Canyon Visitor Ctr, AZ Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Grand Canyon Visitor Ctr garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 2
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
178 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 17 May 2 May 18
First fall frost Nov 12 Oct 27 Oct 11
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 17 · first Nov 9

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the GRAND CANYON VISITOR CTR station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Grand Canyon Visitor Ctr

Computed from Grand Canyon Visitor Ctr's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 7 – Mar 21 May 9 – May 16
🫑 Peppers Feb 21 – Mar 7 May 16 – May 23
🥬 Lettuce Mar 21 – Apr 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18 Apr 4 – May 2
🫛 Peas Mar 21 – Apr 4
🥕 Carrots Apr 11 – May 2
🥦 Broccoli Mar 14 – Mar 28 Apr 11 – Apr 25
🥬 Kale Mar 21 – Apr 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18 Apr 4 – Apr 18
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 4 – Apr 11 May 9 – May 16 May 9 – May 16
🥒 Zucchini Apr 4 – Apr 11 May 9 – May 16 May 9 – May 16
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 9 – May 16
🌽 Sweet Corn May 9 – May 16
🌿 Basil Mar 21 – Apr 4 May 9 – May 16 May 16 – May 23
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 15 – Oct 13

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Grand Canyon Visitor Ctr's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Grand Canyon Visitor Ctr

Roughly 178 frost-free days gives Grand Canyon Visitor Ctr gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after May 2; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 27 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Grand Canyon Visitor Ctr, AZ?

The average last spring frost in Grand Canyon Visitor Ctr is around May 2, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Grand Canyon Visitor Ctr, AZ?

The average first fall frost in Grand Canyon Visitor Ctr arrives around Oct 27. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Grand Canyon Visitor Ctr?

About 178 frost-free days on average, from May 2 to Oct 27. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Grand Canyon Visitor Ctr in?

USDA zone 6a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.