Payson, AZ Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Apr 29
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 24
~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 13 Apr 29 May 20
First fall frost Nov 8 Oct 24 Oct 11
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 10 · first Nov 6

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the PAYSON 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 Payson

Computed from Payson'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 4 – Mar 18 May 6 – May 13
🫑 Peppers Feb 18 – Mar 4 May 13 – May 20
🥬 Lettuce Mar 18 – Apr 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15 Apr 1 – Apr 29
🫛 Peas Mar 18 – Apr 1
🥕 Carrots Apr 8 – Apr 29
🥦 Broccoli Mar 11 – Mar 25 Apr 8 – Apr 22
🥬 Kale Mar 18 – Apr 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15 Apr 1 – Apr 15
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 1 – Apr 8 May 6 – May 13 May 6 – May 13
🥒 Zucchini Apr 1 – Apr 8 May 6 – May 13 May 6 – May 13
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 6 – May 13
🌽 Sweet Corn May 6 – May 13
🌿 Basil Mar 18 – Apr 1 May 6 – May 13 May 13 – May 20
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 12 – Oct 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 Payson's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Payson

Roughly 178 frost-free days gives Payson gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 29; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 24 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Payson, AZ?

The average last spring frost in Payson is around Apr 29, 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 Payson, AZ?

The average first fall frost in Payson arrives around Oct 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 Payson?

About 178 frost-free days on average, from Apr 29 to Oct 24. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Payson 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.