E Mesa, AZ Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Feb 1
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 10
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
312 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 1 Feb 1 Feb 28
First fall frost Jan 1 Dec 10 Nov 22
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 11 · first Dec 26

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the E MESA 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 E Mesa

Computed from E Mesa'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 7 – Dec 21 Feb 8 – Feb 15
🫑 Peppers Nov 23 – Dec 7 Feb 15 – Feb 22
🥬 Lettuce Dec 21 – Jan 4 Jan 4 – Jan 18 Jan 4 – Feb 1
🫛 Peas Dec 21 – Jan 4
🥕 Carrots Jan 11 – Feb 1
🥦 Broccoli Dec 14 – Dec 28 Jan 11 – Jan 25
🥬 Kale Dec 21 – Jan 4 Jan 4 – Jan 18 Jan 4 – Jan 18
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 4 – Jan 11 Feb 8 – Feb 15 Feb 8 – Feb 15
🥒 Zucchini Jan 4 – Jan 11 Feb 8 – Feb 15 Feb 8 – Feb 15
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 8 – Feb 15
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 8 – Feb 15
🌿 Basil Dec 21 – Jan 4 Feb 8 – Feb 15 Feb 15 – Feb 22
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 29 – Nov 26

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 E Mesa's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in E Mesa

With roughly 312 frost-free days, E Mesa 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 Dec 10 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in E Mesa, AZ?

The average last spring frost in E Mesa is around Feb 1, 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 E Mesa, AZ?

The average first fall frost in E Mesa arrives around Dec 10. 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 E Mesa?

About 312 frost-free days on average, from Feb 1 to Dec 10. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is E Mesa 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.