When to plant in Payson, AZ
USDA Zone 8bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Payson, Arizona — all computed from Payson's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 8b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Payson, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
PAYSON · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Payson’s own odds, recorded at PAYSON.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Jun 4 | May 15 | Apr 29 | Oct 1 | Oct 14 | Oct 27 |
| 32°F | May 20 | Apr 29 | Apr 13 | Oct 11 | Oct 24 | Nov 8 |
| 28°F | May 1 | Apr 10 | Mar 20 | Oct 21 | Nov 6 | Nov 21 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Payson, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 36 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Payson planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Payson, AZ?
Payson's average last spring frost falls near April 29 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Payson, AZ?
In Payson, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 24 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Payson in?
Payson is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. In zone 8b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Payson?
There are roughly 178 frost-free days in Payson (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 29 to the first fall frost near October 24.
When should I plant tomatoes in Payson?
In Payson, start tomato seeds indoors around March 4–March 18, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 6 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Payson
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Payson’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Camp Verde · 61 km
- Scottsdale · 80 km
- Fountain Hills · 81 km
- Verde Village · 81 km
- New River · 81 km
- Cottonwood · 83 km
- Anthem · 87 km
- Paradise Valley · 97 km
Frost dates recorded at PAYSON, 3 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Payson, AZ — Frost Dates & Zone 8b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00093139. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/arizona/payson.