When is the last frost in Scottsdale, AZ?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Scottsdale is around January 6, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Scottsdale Muni Ap, AZ station (1.6 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Scottsdale?

The average first fall frost in Scottsdale, AZ is around December 26, giving roughly a 353-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Scottsdale, AZ?

Scottsdale is in USDA plant hardiness zone 10a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 30 to 35°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Scottsdale?

In Scottsdale, AZ the warmest month is July (avg high 104.1°F) and the coldest is December (avg low 42.5°F). It averages about 8.7″ of precipitation a year.

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Scottsdale, AZ Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 10a · ZIP 85260 · elevation 449′ · NOAA & USDA data

Scottsdale is in USDA hardiness zone 10a (winters can dip to 30 to 35°F), with a growing season of about 353 days between the average last spring frost (January 6) and first fall frost (December 26). The warmest month is July (avg high 104.1°F); the coldest is December (avg low 42.5°F). It averages 8.7″ of precipitation a year. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

10a

min temp 30 to 35°F

Last spring frost

January 6

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

December 26

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

353 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 104.1°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Scottsdale

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Scottsdale Muni Ap, AZ (1.6 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	66.5	43.4	54.9	1.1	–
February	68.7	46	57.3	1.2	–
March	75.7	51.7	63.7	1.1	–
April	82.8	58.3	70.6	0.3	–
May	91.8	66.7	79.3	0.2	–
June	102	76.2	89.1	0.1	–
July	104.1	82.6	93.4	0.9	–
August	102.9	81.8	92.3	0.8	–
September	98.2	75.3	86.7	0.6	–
October	87.3	62.7	75	0.6	–
November	74.8	50.6	62.7	0.8	–
December	64.6	42.5	53.6	1	–

What to plant when in Scottsdale

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: November 25 · Transplant out: January 13
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: November 11 · Transplant out: January 20
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: January 13
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: January 13
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: January 13
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: January 13
Basil	warm	Transplant out: January 13
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): December 2 · Sow (fall): October 31
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): November 25 · Sow (fall): October 31
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): December 9 · Sow (fall): October 31
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): December 16 · Sow (fall): October 17
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): December 23
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): December 16 · Sow (fall): October 17
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): December 9
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: December 23
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): December 9 · Sow (fall): November 14

Dates are computed from Scottsdale's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Arizona

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Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Scottsdale Muni Ap, AZ, 1.6 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Scottsdale Muni Ap, AZ, 1.6 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.