When to plant in Scottsdale, AZ
USDA Zone 10aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Scottsdale, Arizona — all computed from Scottsdale's nearest NOAA weather station.
With about 328 frost-free days, Scottsdale supports back-to-back plantings; stagger sowings every few weeks to keep beds productive spring through fall. Zone 10a is warm enough that Scottsdale can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
PINNACLE PEAK · 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 Scottsdale’s own odds, recorded at PINNACLE PEAK.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 30 | Feb 26 | Jan 17 | Nov 19 | Dec 7 | Dec 24 |
| 32°F | Mar 5 | Jan 27 | Dec 23 | Nov 28 | Dec 21 | Jan 24 |
| 28°F | Feb 8 | Jan 6 | Dec 14 | Dec 6 | Jan 1 | Feb 2 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Nothing new to sow or transplant outdoors in the next few weeks — a seasonal lull. Check the full-year calendar below for the next window.
Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Scottsdale, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 15 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.
Scottsdale planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Scottsdale, AZ?
Plan for the last spring frost in Scottsdale around January 27 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Scottsdale, AZ?
In Scottsdale, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around December 21 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Scottsdale in?
Scottsdale is in USDA hardiness zone 10a. In zone 10a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Scottsdale?
There are roughly 328 frost-free days in Scottsdale (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around January 27 to the first fall frost near December 21.
When should I plant tomatoes in Scottsdale?
In Scottsdale, start tomato seeds indoors around December 2–December 16, then transplant seedlings outdoors around February 3 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Scottsdale
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Scottsdale’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Fountain Hills · 14 km
- Paradise Valley · 17 km
- Phoenix · 25 km
- New River · 30 km
- Anthem · 30 km
- Tempe · 34 km
- Mesa · 34 km
- Glendale · 35 km
Frost dates recorded at PINNACLE PEAK, 5 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 Scottsdale, AZ — Frost Dates & Zone 10a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00026603. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/arizona/scottsdale.