Frost dates for 85653 — Marana, AZ
Last spring frostFeb 23median date
First fall frostDec 6median date
Growing season286 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Marana compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Marana falls between January 15 and March 22, a 66-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 18 and December 25.
- The median last frost is 52 days earlier than the Arizona median of Apr 16.
- Its 286-day growing season is longer than 96% of the 193 Arizona places with a regular frost season (state median 197 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 9b, where the median is Feb 20.
- The weather station records an average of 11 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Tucson, AZ, 37 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) | January 15 |
| 50% (median) | February 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 18 |
| 50% (median) | December 6 |
| 90% (late) | December 25 |
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 Marana, AZ
Frost dates for 85653 — Marana, AZ — last frost Feb 23, first frost Dec 6, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 1 to Dec 15Transplant outside: Jan 26 to Feb 9
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 8
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Jan 26 to Feb 9Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Sow outdoors: Jan 12 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Jan 12 to Feb 2Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 19 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 15
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 2Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 2Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 30
Plant for fall: Nov 22 to Dec 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Marana, AZ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Jan 26 – Mar 2 | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Kale | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Broccoli | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cabbage | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Okra | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — |
| Basil | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 12 – Feb 2 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 12 – Feb 2 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 19 – Mar 2 | Oct 25 – Nov 15 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 26 – Feb 2 | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 26 – Feb 2 | — | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 26 – Feb 2 | — | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 26 – Feb 2 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 2 – Mar 2 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 2 – Mar 2 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 9 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 22 – Dec 27 |
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 Tucson 17 Nw, AZ weather station, 18 km away (elevation 2,562 ft (781 m)).
ZIP codes in Marana: 85653 85658
Frost dates near Marana
- Rillito Feb 23 · Dec 6
- Cortaro Feb 26 · Dec 4
- Red Rock Feb 6 · Dec 9
- Picacho Feb 6 · Dec 9
- Catalina Apr 2 · Nov 11
- Tucson Jan 20 · Dec 17
- Eloy Feb 24 · Nov 28
- Mount Lemmon Apr 1 · Nov 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Marana, AZ?
The median last spring frost in Marana, AZ is February 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Marana, AZ?
The median first fall frost is December 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 18.
How long is the growing season in Marana, AZ?
About 286 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Marana, AZ?
Marana, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.