Vail, AZ frost dates
Last spring frostJan 26median date
First fall frostDec 16median date
Growing season324 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
Frost is light and occasional here — typically a few cold nights around midwinter (about 8 a year). Cover tender plants when frost is forecast.
How Vail compares
- In a typical year, frost nights in Vail fall between December 16 and January 26. In 1 year in 10 the first frost comes as early as November 26, or the last frost as late as February 25.
- Compared with Tucson, AZ, 34 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | December 24 |
| 50% (median) | January 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | February 25 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 26 |
| 50% (median) | December 16 |
| 90% (late) | January 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 Vail, AZ
Vail, AZ frost dates — last frost Jan 26, first frost Dec 16, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
In mild climates, summer heat limits many crops as much as frost does. Use this calendar for spring planting and lean on fall and winter for cool-season crops.
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 3 to Nov 17Transplant outside: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Dec 29 to Jan 12
Start indoors: Nov 17 to Dec 1Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23
Start indoors: Nov 17 to Dec 1Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Jan 5 to Jan 19Sow outdoors: Dec 29 to Feb 2Sow outdoors: Dec 29 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 18
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Dec 29 to Jan 12Sow outdoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Sow outdoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 28
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Jan 12 to Jan 26Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Jan 5 to Jan 19Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Jan 12 to Jan 26Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16
Sow outdoors: Dec 15 to Jan 5Sow outdoors: Dec 15 to Jan 5Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Dec 15 to Jan 5Sow outdoors: Dec 15 to Jan 5Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 11
Sow outdoors: Dec 22 to Feb 2Sow outdoors: Dec 22 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Nov 4 to Nov 25
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23
Sow outdoors: Jan 5 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Jan 5 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 5 to Jan 26
Sow outdoors: Jan 12 to Feb 9Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 12 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16
Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Mar 2
Plant for fall: Dec 2 to Jan 6Plant for fall: Dec 2 to Jan 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Vail, AZ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 3 – Nov 17 | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Nov 17 – Dec 1 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Nov 17 – Dec 1 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Dec 29 – Feb 2 | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Kale | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Oct 7 – Oct 28 |
| Broccoli | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | — | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cabbage | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | — | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | — | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Okra | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — |
| Basil | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Dec 15 – Jan 5 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Dec 15 – Jan 5 | Oct 21 – Nov 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Dec 22 – Feb 2 | Nov 4 – Nov 25 |
| Cucumbers | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Sep 30 – Oct 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | — | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Oct 7 – Oct 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | — | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Dec 29 – Jan 5 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 5 – Feb 2 | Sep 23 – Oct 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 5 – Feb 2 | Oct 7 – Oct 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 5 – Jan 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 12 – Feb 9 | Oct 7 – Oct 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 12 – Feb 2 | Oct 21 – Nov 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | Sep 30 – Oct 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Dec 2 – Jan 6 |
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 Saguaro Np, AZ weather station, 20 km away (elevation 3,081 ft (939 m)).
Frost dates near Vail
- Sahuarita Feb 25 · Nov 27
- Tucson Jan 20 · Dec 17
- Green Valley Feb 25 · Nov 27
- Sonoita Mar 28 · Nov 21
- Benson Apr 12 · Nov 1
- Pomerene Apr 12 · Nov 1
- Elgin Apr 18 · Nov 1
- Mount Lemmon Apr 1 · Nov 19
- Saint David Apr 12 · Nov 1
- Huachuca City Mar 16 · Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Vail, AZ?
The median last spring frost in Vail, AZ is January 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after February 25, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Vail, AZ?
The median first fall frost is December 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 26.
How long is the growing season in Vail, AZ?
About 324 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Vail, AZ?
Vail, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.