Tombstone, AZ frost dates
Last spring frostMar 4median date
First fall frostNov 29median date
Growing season270 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Tombstone compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Tombstone falls between February 3 and March 31, a 56-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 12 and December 17.
- The median last frost is 43 days earlier than the Arizona median of Apr 16.
- Its 270-day growing season is longer than 90% of the 193 Arizona places with a regular frost season (state median 197 days).
- The last frost is 12 days earlier than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 29 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Tucson, AZ, 101 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 3 |
| 50% (median) | March 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 12 |
| 50% (median) | November 29 |
| 90% (late) | December 17 |
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 Tombstone, AZ
Tombstone, AZ frost dates — last frost Mar 4, first frost Nov 29, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 10 to Dec 24Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Nov 1
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 8
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 8
Plant for fall: Nov 15 to Dec 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Tombstone, AZ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 4 – Mar 11 | Oct 4 – Nov 1 |
| Kale | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Broccoli | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cabbage | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Okra | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — |
| Basil | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 21 – Feb 11 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 21 – Feb 11 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 28 – Mar 11 | Oct 18 – Nov 8 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 4 – Feb 11 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 11 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 11 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 15 – Dec 20 |
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 Tombstone, AZ weather station, 2 km away (elevation 4,659 ft (1,420 m)).
Frost dates near Tombstone
- Saint David Apr 12 · Nov 1
- Sierra Vista Apr 5 · Nov 9
- Huachuca City Mar 16 · Nov 21
- Mc Neal Apr 1 · Nov 10
- Fort Huachuca Apr 5 · Nov 9
- Fort Huachuca (Cochise) Apr 14 · Nov 2
- Dragoon Apr 14 · Nov 2
- Benson Apr 12 · Nov 1
- Bisbee Apr 1 · Nov 10
- Pomerene Apr 12 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Tombstone, AZ?
The median last spring frost in Tombstone, AZ is March 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Tombstone, AZ?
The median first fall frost is November 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 12.
How long is the growing season in Tombstone, AZ?
About 270 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Tombstone, AZ?
Tombstone, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.