Willcox, AZ Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Apr 9
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 31
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
205 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 20 Apr 9 Apr 29
First fall frost Nov 14 Oct 31 Oct 20
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 16 · first Nov 12

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the WILLCOX 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 Willcox

Computed from Willcox'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 12 – Feb 26 Apr 16 – Apr 23
🫑 Peppers Jan 29 – Feb 12 Apr 23 – Apr 30
🥬 Lettuce Feb 26 – Mar 12 Mar 12 – Mar 26 Mar 12 – Apr 9
🫛 Peas Feb 26 – Mar 12
🥕 Carrots Mar 19 – Apr 9
🥦 Broccoli Feb 19 – Mar 5 Mar 19 – Apr 2
🥬 Kale Feb 26 – Mar 12 Mar 12 – Mar 26 Mar 12 – Mar 26
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 12 – Mar 19 Apr 16 – Apr 23 Apr 16 – Apr 23
🥒 Zucchini Mar 12 – Mar 19 Apr 16 – Apr 23 Apr 16 – Apr 23
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 16 – Apr 23
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 16 – Apr 23
🌿 Basil Feb 26 – Mar 12 Apr 16 – Apr 23 Apr 23 – Apr 30
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 19 – Oct 17

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 Willcox's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Willcox

With roughly 205 frost-free days, Willcox 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 Oct 31 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Willcox, AZ?

The average last spring frost in Willcox is around Apr 9, 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 Willcox, AZ?

The average first fall frost in Willcox arrives around Oct 31. 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 Willcox?

About 205 frost-free days on average, from Apr 9 to Oct 31. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Willcox 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.