Oracle, AZ frost dates
Last spring frostMar 23median date
First fall frostNov 22median date
Growing season244 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Oracle compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Oracle falls between February 18 and April 16, a 57-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 2 and December 7.
- The median last frost is 24 days earlier than the Arizona median of Apr 16.
- Its 244-day growing season is longer than 78% of the 193 Arizona places with a regular frost season (state median 197 days).
- The last frost is 20 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 41 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Tucson, AZ, 44 km away, gets only light, occasional frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 18 |
| 50% (median) | March 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 2 |
| 50% (median) | November 22 |
| 90% (late) | December 7 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Oracle, AZ
Oracle, AZ frost dates — last frost Mar 23, first frost Nov 22, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Plant for fall: Nov 8 to Dec 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Oracle, AZ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Feb 23 – Mar 30 | Sep 27 – Oct 25 |
| Kale | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Broccoli | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Okra | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Basil | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 30 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 8 – Dec 13 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Oracle 2 Se, AZ weather station, 6 km away (elevation 4,511 ft (1,375 m)).
Frost dates near Oracle
- Catalina Apr 2 · Nov 11
- San Manuel Feb 4 · Dec 8
- Mammoth Feb 4 · Dec 8
- Mount Lemmon Apr 1 · Nov 19
- Cortaro Feb 26 · Dec 4
- Rillito Feb 23 · Dec 6
- Marana Feb 23 · Dec 6
- Tucson Jan 20 · Dec 17
- Hayden Mar 13 · Nov 19
- Winkelman Mar 13 · Nov 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Oracle, AZ?
The median last spring frost in Oracle, AZ is March 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Oracle, AZ?
The median first fall frost is November 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 2.
How long is the growing season in Oracle, AZ?
About 244 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Oracle, AZ?
Oracle, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.