Sunrise Mtn, AZ Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Jun 18
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 18
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
92 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jun 4 Jun 18 Jun 30
First fall frost Sep 30 Sep 18 Sep 4
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jun 6 · first Sep 29

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the SUNRISE MTN 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 Sunrise Mtn

Computed from Sunrise Mtn'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 Apr 23 – May 7 Jun 25 – Jul 2
🫑 Peppers Apr 9 – Apr 23 Jul 2 – Jul 9
🥬 Lettuce May 7 – May 21 May 21 – Jun 4 May 21 – Jun 18
🫛 Peas May 7 – May 21
🥕 Carrots May 28 – Jun 18
🥦 Broccoli Apr 30 – May 14 May 28 – Jun 11
🥬 Kale May 7 – May 21 May 21 – Jun 4 May 21 – Jun 4
🥒 Cucumbers May 21 – May 28 Jun 25 – Jul 2 Jun 25 – Jul 2
🥒 Zucchini May 21 – May 28 Jun 25 – Jul 2 Jun 25 – Jul 2
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 25 – Jul 2
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 25 – Jul 2
🌿 Basil May 7 – May 21 Jun 25 – Jul 2 Jul 2 – Jul 9
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 7 – Sep 4

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 Sunrise Mtn's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Sunrise Mtn

At about 92 frost-free days, Sunrise Mtn rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Sunrise Mtn, AZ?

The average last spring frost in Sunrise Mtn is around Jun 18, 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 Sunrise Mtn, AZ?

The average first fall frost in Sunrise Mtn arrives around Sep 18. 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 Sunrise Mtn?

About 92 frost-free days on average, from Jun 18 to Sep 18. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Sunrise Mtn 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.