Mesa, AZ Frost Dates
Average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and growing season length for Mesa, Arizona.
Gardening in Mesa
Mesa's East Valley location gives it slightly cooler temperatures than downtown Phoenix, and the city's Mormon pioneer heritage established a food-growing culture that persists in backyard gardens across the city.
At 1,200 feet elevation, Mesa catches a tiny break from Phoenix's worst heat. The long growing season and desert sun grow spectacular citrus and winter vegetables. The caliche hardpan under the desert soil is the challenge every Mesa gardener eventually confronts with a pickaxe or raised beds.
The Mesa Community College Rose Garden proves ornamental gardening thrives here. The city's citrus trees — many predating the subdivisions — are backyard landmarks producing grapefruit and oranges that taste better than anything in a store.
What This Means for Mesa Gardeners
The average last spring frost in Mesa is around February 10, and the average first fall frost arrives around December 5. That gives you approximately 298 frost-free days to work with.
298 days is a long, productive season that supports two full rounds of warm-season crops plus continuous cool-season production through your mild winter. Most frost-sensitive crops can be transplanted by February 10, giving them months to produce before fall. Your winter garden is the real advantage — growing fresh vegetables in December and January while northern gardeners browse seed catalogs.
These dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normal data for the Mesa area. Your actual frost dates could shift 2-3 weeks in either direction in any given year. Learn more about our data sources.
What to Grow in Mesa
With 298 frost-free days, Mesa can grow nearly anything — including tropical and subtropical plants that most of the country can only dream about. Your prime vegetable season runs from fall through spring; summer is for heat-lovers like okra, sweet potatoes, and peppers. Recommended starting points: cherry tomatoes, jalapeños, okra, sweet potatoes, basil, collard greens, tomatillos, and lemongrass.
See the full Arizona planting guide for all 40 plants: Arizona Planting Calendar. Or enter your zip code for exact planting dates personalized to Mesa.
More About Zone 9B
Mesa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9B, which means average annual extreme minimum temperatures between 25°F to 30°F. View the full Zone 9B planting guide.
See the complete planting calendar for Arizona: Arizona Planting Calendar.
Other Cities in Arizona
Frequently Asked Questions
These dates are based on NOAA's 30-year Climate Normal data for the Mesa area. They represent historical averages, not predictions. In any given year, the actual last frost could be 2-3 weeks earlier or later. Microclimates within Mesa (urban heat islands, hilltops, low-lying valleys) can also shift your local frost dates by a week or more.
You can plant cool-season crops (lettuce, kale, broccoli) from December 5 through February 10 — your cool season is your primary vegetable season. Warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers go out in early spring. Tropical plants grow year-round. Enter your zip code for exact dates for every plant.