Maricopa 4 N, AZ Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Maricopa 4 N garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 23
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 24
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
274 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jan 29 Feb 23 Mar 15
First fall frost Dec 8 Nov 24 Nov 10
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 2 · first Dec 6

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MARICOPA 4 N 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 Maricopa 4 N

Computed from Maricopa 4 N's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Dec 29 – Jan 12 Mar 2 – Mar 9
🫑 Peppers Dec 15 – Dec 29 Mar 9 – Mar 16
🥬 Lettuce Jan 12 – Jan 26 Jan 26 – Feb 9 Jan 26 – Feb 23
🫛 Peas Jan 12 – Jan 26
🥕 Carrots Feb 2 – Feb 23
🥦 Broccoli Jan 5 – Jan 19 Feb 2 – Feb 16
🥬 Kale Jan 12 – Jan 26 Jan 26 – Feb 9 Jan 26 – Feb 9
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 26 – Feb 2 Mar 2 – Mar 9 Mar 2 – Mar 9
🥒 Zucchini Jan 26 – Feb 2 Mar 2 – Mar 9 Mar 2 – Mar 9
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 2 – Mar 9
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 2 – Mar 9
🌿 Basil Jan 12 – Jan 26 Mar 2 – Mar 9 Mar 9 – Mar 16
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 13 – Nov 10

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 Maricopa 4 N's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Maricopa 4 N

With roughly 274 frost-free days, Maricopa 4 N gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 24 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Maricopa 4 N, AZ?

The average last spring frost in Maricopa 4 N is around Feb 23, 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 Maricopa 4 N, AZ?

The average first fall frost in Maricopa 4 N arrives around Nov 24. 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 Maricopa 4 N?

About 274 frost-free days on average, from Feb 23 to Nov 24. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Maricopa 4 N in?

USDA zone 9b 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.