Chino Valley, AZ planting zone & frost dates
Chino Valley is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 27 and the first fall frost around October 24, for a growing season of about 178 days.
Planting calendar for Chino Valley
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 27) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 Transplant outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: May 11 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: May 11 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30 Transplant outdoors: May 4 – May 11 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 29 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 24).
Useful for zone 8a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 10 | Apr 27 | May 18 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 8 | Oct 24 | Oct 9 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 18, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 9. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 9.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Chino Valley
- 86323 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Prescott Valley zone 7b, last frost Apr 20
- Prescott zone 7b, last frost Apr 30
- Cottonwood zone 8b, last frost Mar 30
- Verde Village zone 8b, last frost Mar 30
- Camp Verde zone 8a, last frost Apr 16
- West Sedona zone 8b, last frost Apr 1
- Sedona zone 8b, last frost Apr 1
- New River zone 9b, last frost Jan 15
Questions
What growing zone is Chino Valley, AZ?
Chino Valley is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Chino Valley?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Chino Valley is April 27. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 18.
When can I plant tomatoes in Chino Valley?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 4 – May 11. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Chino Valley, AZ (USC00021654), 0.3 km (0.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 1448 m, based on 19 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.