Sonoita, AZ frost dates
Last spring frostMar 28median date
First fall frostNov 21median date
Growing season238 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Sonoita compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sonoita falls between March 1 and April 21, a 51-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 5 and December 7.
- The median last frost is 19 days earlier than the Arizona median of Apr 16.
- Its 238-day growing season is longer than 77% of the 193 Arizona places with a regular frost season (state median 197 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 41 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Tucson, AZ, 69 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) | March 1 |
| 50% (median) | March 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 5 |
| 50% (median) | November 21 |
| 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 Sonoita, AZ
Sonoita, AZ frost dates — last frost Mar 28, first frost Nov 21, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Oct 31
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Transplant outside: Apr 11 to May 2
Plant for fall: Nov 7 to Dec 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sonoita, AZ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Feb 28 – Apr 4 | Sep 26 – Oct 24 |
| Kale | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Broccoli | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Okra | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Basil | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 21 – Apr 4 | Oct 10 – Oct 31 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 7 – Dec 12 |
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 Sonoita, AZ weather station, 4 km away (elevation 4,895 ft (1,492 m)).
Frost dates near Sonoita
- Elgin Apr 18 · Nov 1
- Patagonia Apr 23 · Oct 30
- Huachuca City Mar 16 · Nov 21
- Fort Huachuca Apr 5 · Nov 9
- Sierra Vista Apr 5 · Nov 9
- Nogales Apr 16 · Nov 2
- Vail Jan 26 · Dec 16
- Tubac Apr 5 · Nov 10
- Tumacacori Apr 5 · Nov 10
- Green Valley Feb 25 · Nov 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sonoita, AZ?
The median last spring frost in Sonoita, AZ is March 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sonoita, AZ?
The median first fall frost is November 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 5.
How long is the growing season in Sonoita, AZ?
About 238 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sonoita, AZ?
Sonoita, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.