Frost dates for 85750 — Tucson, AZ
Last spring frostFeb 20median date
First fall frostNov 27median date
Growing season280 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Tucson compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Tucson falls between January 30 and March 11, a 40-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 10 and December 12.
- The median last frost is 55 days earlier than the Arizona median of Apr 16.
- Its 280-day growing season is longer than 94% of the 193 Arizona places with a regular frost season (state median 197 days).
- The last frost is 11 days earlier 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 26 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 30 |
| 50% (median) | February 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 10 |
| 50% (median) | November 27 |
| 90% (late) | December 12 |
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 Tucson, AZ
Frost dates for 85750 — Tucson, AZ — last frost Feb 20, first frost Nov 27, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 28 to Dec 12Transplant outside: Jan 23 to Feb 6
Start indoors: Dec 12 to Dec 26Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Dec 12 to Dec 26Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 30
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Jan 23 to Feb 6Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 6 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 6 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 9 to Jan 30Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Jan 9 to Jan 30Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Sow outdoors: Jan 16 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 6
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 27
Plant for fall: Nov 13 to Dec 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Tucson, AZ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 28 – Dec 12 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Jan 23 – Feb 27 | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Kale | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Broccoli | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Okra | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — |
| Basil | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 9 – Jan 30 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 9 – Jan 30 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 16 – Feb 27 | Oct 16 – Nov 6 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 23 – Jan 30 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 27 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 27 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 6 – Mar 6 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 13 – Dec 18 |
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 Camp Ave Exp, AZ weather station, 10 km away (elevation 2,329 ft (710 m)).
ZIP codes in Tucson: 85701 85702 85703 85704 85705 85706 85707 85708 85709 85710 85711 85712 85713 85714 85715 85716 85717 85718 85719 85720 85721 85722 85723 85724 85725 85726 85728 85730 85731 85732 85733 85734 85735 85736 85737 85739 85740 85741 85742 85743 85744 85745 85746 85747 85748 85749 85750 85751 85752 85754 85755 85756 85757 85775
Frost dates near Tucson
- Mount Lemmon Apr 1 · Nov 19
- Catalina Apr 2 · Nov 11
- Cortaro Feb 26 · Dec 4
- Rillito Feb 23 · Dec 6
- Oracle Mar 23 · Nov 22
- Vail Jan 26 · Dec 16
- Marana Feb 23 · Dec 6
- Sahuarita Feb 25 · Nov 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Tucson, AZ?
The median last spring frost in Tucson, AZ is February 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Tucson, AZ?
The median first fall frost is November 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 10.
How long is the growing season in Tucson, AZ?
About 280 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Tucson, AZ?
Tucson, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.