Clifton, AZ Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Feb 26
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 23
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
270 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 6 Feb 26 Mar 15
First fall frost Dec 6 Nov 23 Nov 10
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 5 · first Dec 5

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CLIFTON 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 Clifton

Computed from Clifton'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 Jan 1 – Jan 15 Mar 5 – Mar 12
🫑 Peppers Dec 18 – Jan 1 Mar 12 – Mar 19
🥬 Lettuce Jan 15 – Jan 29 Jan 29 – Feb 12 Jan 29 – Feb 26
🫛 Peas Jan 15 – Jan 29
🥕 Carrots Feb 5 – Feb 26
🥦 Broccoli Jan 8 – Jan 22 Feb 5 – Feb 19
🥬 Kale Jan 15 – Jan 29 Jan 29 – Feb 12 Jan 29 – Feb 12
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 29 – Feb 5 Mar 5 – Mar 12 Mar 5 – Mar 12
🥒 Zucchini Jan 29 – Feb 5 Mar 5 – Mar 12 Mar 5 – Mar 12
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 5 – Mar 12
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 5 – Mar 12
🌿 Basil Jan 15 – Jan 29 Mar 5 – Mar 12 Mar 12 – Mar 19
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 12 – Nov 9

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 Clifton's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Clifton

With roughly 270 frost-free days, Clifton 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 23 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Clifton, AZ?

The average last spring frost in Clifton is around Feb 26, 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 Clifton, AZ?

The average first fall frost in Clifton arrives around Nov 23. 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 Clifton?

About 270 frost-free days on average, from Feb 26 to Nov 23. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Clifton 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.