San Simon, AZ Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Apr 16
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 2
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
200 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 31 Apr 16 May 4
First fall frost Nov 16 Nov 2 Oct 17
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 2 · first Nov 12

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the SAN SIMON 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 San Simon

Computed from San Simon's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 19 – Mar 5 Apr 23 – Apr 30
🫑 Peppers Feb 5 – Feb 19 Apr 30 – May 7
🥬 Lettuce Mar 5 – Mar 19 Mar 19 – Apr 2 Mar 19 – Apr 16
🫛 Peas Mar 5 – Mar 19
🥕 Carrots Mar 26 – Apr 16
🥦 Broccoli Feb 26 – Mar 12 Mar 26 – Apr 9
🥬 Kale Mar 5 – Mar 19 Mar 19 – Apr 2 Mar 19 – Apr 2
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 19 – Mar 26 Apr 23 – Apr 30 Apr 23 – Apr 30
🥒 Zucchini Mar 19 – Mar 26 Apr 23 – Apr 30 Apr 23 – Apr 30
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 23 – Apr 30
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 23 – Apr 30
🌿 Basil Mar 5 – Mar 19 Apr 23 – Apr 30 Apr 30 – May 7
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 21 – Oct 19

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 San Simon's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in San Simon

With roughly 200 frost-free days, San Simon 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 2 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in San Simon, AZ?

The average last spring frost in San Simon is around Apr 16, 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 San Simon, AZ?

The average first fall frost in San Simon arrives around Nov 2. 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 San Simon?

About 200 frost-free days on average, from Apr 16 to Nov 2. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is San Simon in?

USDA zone 8a 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.