Fall in zone 10aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 85255 (Scottsdale, AZ)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Pinnacle Peak, AZ (5 miles away).
- Average last spring frostJan 2750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 2150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)330 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone10a30 to 35°F avg. coldest night
Get The Dial for 85255 (Scottsdale)
Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 85255, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
- Freeze alerts
- Soil-temp heads-up
- Weekly yard to-dos
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.
This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 85255 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring late January to February; fall September to October.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Arid Southwest (low desert). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Mar 14 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Perennial ryegrass (cool-season): Early fall: September; Late fall: October–November; Overseeded Bermuda: Light feeding once the winter rye is established, if needed. Avoid: Summer feeding.
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 12–Nov 9
- Kale: fall transplant Sep 28–Oct 26
- Collards: fall transplant Sep 28–Oct 26
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 12–Nov 9
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 26–Nov 16
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 16
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Nov 4–18
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 23
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Nov 4–18
- Leek: start seeds indoors Nov 4–18
- Celery: start seeds indoors Nov 4–18
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 26–Nov 9
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Dec 23 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 27 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 5 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Nov 28 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 21 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 24 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Feb 26 | Dec 7 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 27 | Dec 21 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 6 | Jan 1 (next year) |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 85255
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 27) and first fall frost (Dec 21). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Dec 2–16 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 24–Sep 21 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 18–Dec 2 | Feb 10–24 (transplant) | Aug 31–Sep 21 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 18–Dec 2 | Feb 10–24 (transplant) | Aug 31–Sep 21 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 2–16 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 2–16 | Jan 6–27 (transplant) Dec 30–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 16 (transplant) Oct 12–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 16–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 16 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 2–16 | Dec 30–Jan 13 (transplant) Dec 30–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 26 (transplant) Sep 14–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 2–16 | Dec 30–Jan 27 (transplant) Dec 30–Jan 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 26 (transplant) Sep 14–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 18–Dec 2 | Dec 30–Jan 13 (transplant) | Sep 14–Oct 12 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 18–Dec 2 | Dec 30–Jan 13 (transplant) | Sep 14–Oct 12 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 18–Dec 2 | Jan 13–27 (transplant) | Sep 14–Oct 12 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 4–18 | Dec 30–Jan 13 (transplant) | Aug 31–Sep 21 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 2–16 | Dec 30–Jan 13 (transplant) Dec 30–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 30–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 30–Jan 27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 23 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 30–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 16–30 | Jan 13–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 13–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 30–Jan 27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 6–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 23–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Nov 9–23 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 30–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 6–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 4–18 | Dec 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 16–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 4–18 | Dec 30–Jan 13 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 9–Dec 7 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 16–30 (transplant) | Nov 9–Dec 7 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 30–Jan 13 (transplant) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 17–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 30–Jan 6 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 30–Jan 6 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 30–Jan 6 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 30–Jan 6 | Feb 10–24 (transplant) Feb 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 30–Jan 6 | Feb 10–24 (transplant) Feb 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 16–30 | Feb 10–24 (transplant) Feb 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 4–18 | Feb 3–10 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 16–30 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 13–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 18–Dec 2 | Jan 13–27 (transplant) Jan 6–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 26–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 30–Jan 13 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 30–Jan 13 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 30–Jan 13 (transplant) | Oct 12–Nov 9 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Pinnacle Peak, AZ (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00026603), elevation 2,565 ft, 4.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottsdale Muni AP, AZ | 6 mi | Jan 6 | Dec 26 |
| Fountain Hills, AZ | 8 mi | Jan 6 | Dec 28 |
| Carefree, AZ | 11 mi | Feb 4 | Dec 16 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 29 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 85255
When is the last frost in 85255?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 85255 is January 27. For a more cautious planting date, use March 5, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 85255?
The average first fall freeze is December 21. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 28.
What hardiness zone is 85255?
ZIP 85255 is in USDA zone 10a (30 to 35°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 85255 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
85259 Scottsdale 85260 Scottsdale 85268 Fountain Hills 85054 Phoenix 85254 Phoenix 85266 Scottsdale 85258 Scottsdale 85050 Phoenix
Other ZIP codes in Maricopa County
85003 85004 85006 85007 85008 85009 85012 85013 85014 85015 85016 85017 85018 85019 85020 85021 85022 85023 85024 85026 85027 85028 85029 85031 All Maricopa County frost dates · Arizona frost dates
Never miss a frost: get The Dial
Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
- Soil-temp heads-up
- Weekly yard to-dos
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.