When to Plant Potatoes in Arizona
In Arizona, the time to plant potatoes outside runs from Dec 14 – Dec 28 in Bullhead City to May 14 – May 28 in Flagstaff. In Phoenix, it's Dec 18 – Jan 1. The average last spring frost differs by about 22 weeks across the state (Jan 4 in Bullhead City, Jun 4 in Flagstaff), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Plant seed potatoes a few weeks before the last frost; cover any shoots if a late frost threatens.
- Plant outside: 1–3 weeks before the last frost.
Potatoes planting dates in Arizona by city
| City | Zone | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Junction | 9b | Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Avondale | 9b | Dec 24 – Jan 7 |
| Buckeye | 9b | Dec 17 – Dec 31 |
| Bullhead City | 10a | Dec 14 – Dec 28 |
| Camp Verde | 8b | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Casa Grande | 9a | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Chandler | 9b | Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Chino Valley | 8a | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Coolidge | 9a | Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Cottonwood | 8b | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Douglas | 8a | Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| El Mirage | 9b | Dec 30 – Jan 13 |
| Eloy | 9a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Flagstaff | 6a | May 14 – May 28 |
| Florence | 9a | Jan 9 – Jan 23 |
| Fountain Hills | 9b | Dec 16 – Dec 30 |
| Gilbert | 9b | Jan 11 – Jan 25 |
| Glendale | 9b | Dec 30 – Jan 13 |
| Goodyear | 9b | Dec 24 – Jan 7 |
| Kingman | 9a | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Lake Havasu City | 10a | Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Marana | 9b | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Maricopa | 9a | Feb 2 – Feb 16 |
| Mesa | 9b | Jan 11 – Jan 25 |
| Nogales | 8b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Oro Valley | 9a | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Paradise Valley | 10a | Dec 16 – Dec 30 |
| Payson | 8b | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Peoria | 9b | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Phoenix | 9b | Dec 18 – Jan 1 |
| Prescott | 7b | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Prescott Valley | 7b | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Queen Creek | 9b | Jan 11 – Jan 25 |
| Sahuarita | 9a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Scottsdale | 10a | Jan 6 – Jan 20 |
| Show Low | 7a | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Sierra Vista | 8b | Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Surprise | 9b | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Tempe | 10a | Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Tucson | 9b | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
Parts of Arizona rarely see frost (for example Yuma, San Luis, Somerton). There, planting is timed by heat rather than frost, usually in the cooler months; look up your ZIP code for details.
See all frost dates in Arizona, or the general guide to when to plant potatoes.
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