Frost Dates for Tucson, AZ 85718
Tucson has 38 ZIP codes. The Tucson, AZ frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 16 · First fall frost November 29 · 286 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 85718 has about 28,100 people, one of 38 ZIP codes in Tucson.
Very long season: 286 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 17–March 18 (60 days). Fall frost risk spans November 9–December 4 (25 days).
Frost probability for 85718
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 18 | February 16 | January 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 9 | November 29 | December 4 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at TUCSON INTL AP (20.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 286-day season in Tucson
In Tucson (286 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 12 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 244 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 2. | Jul 30 |
| Pepper | Jan 5 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 244 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 2. | Aug 4 |
| Lettuce | Dec 22 | Jan 19–Jan 26 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 19 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 8 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 26–Feb 2 | 328 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 328 available after Jan 26. | Sep 27 |
| Cucumber | Jan 26 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Beans | — | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 9 |
| Peas | — | Dec 22–Mar 2 | 349 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 349 available after Dec 22. | Sep 18 |
| Zucchini | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Onion | Nov 24 | Jan 19–Feb 2 | 321 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 321 available after Jan 19. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 22–Feb 9 | 363 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 22 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 27 |
| Kale | Dec 8 | Jan 19–Feb 2 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 19 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 12 |
| Broccoli | Dec 22 | Jan 19–Feb 2 | 321 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 321 available after Jan 19. | Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Dec 22 | Jan 19–Feb 2 | 335 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 335 available after Jan 19. | Sep 27 |
| Radish | — | Dec 22–Mar 16 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 22 and again by Oct 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 28 |
| Beets | — | Dec 22–Mar 16 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 22 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 2–Feb 9 | 307 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 307 available after Feb 2. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 29 | 391 | overwinter: Plant Nov 29 to Dec 20; harvest the following summer. | Dec 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 12–Mar 9 | 342 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 12; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 19 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 258 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 258 available after Feb 23. | Aug 11 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 2 | 251 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 2. | Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 5 | Feb 9–Feb 23 | 300 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 9. | Sep 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 22 | Feb 2–Feb 2 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 22–Mar 16 | 363 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 22 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 22 | Jan 19–Feb 2 | 335 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 335 available after Jan 19. | Aug 28 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 251 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 2. | Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Dec 29 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 244 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 2. | Aug 9 |
| Okra | Jan 19 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Basil | Jan 12 | Mar 9–Mar 9 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 19–Feb 9 | 321 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 19 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 3 |
| Parsley | Dec 8 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 286 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 23. | Sep 13 |
| Celery | Dec 8 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 286 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 23. | Jul 25 |
| Scallions | Dec 8 | Jan 19–Feb 2 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 19 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 7 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 19–Feb 2 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 19 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 5–Jan 19 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 5 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 12 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 19 | Feb 9–Feb 16 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 8 |
| Collards | Dec 8 | Jan 19–Feb 2 | 335 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 19 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 7 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 244 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 2. | Jul 25 |
| Chives | Nov 24 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 300 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 23. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 22–Mar 16 | 349 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 22 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Oregano | Dec 8 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 300 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 23. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 24 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 286 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 286 available after Feb 23. | — |
| Sage | Dec 22 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 300 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 23. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 8 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 300 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 300 available after Feb 23. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 5 | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 3 |
| Cosmos | Jan 19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Lavender | Nov 24 | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 307 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 307 available after Feb 16. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 5 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Melons | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 244 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 2. | Jul 25 |
| Mint | — | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 307 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 307 available after Feb 16. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 19 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 265 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 265 available after Feb 23. | Aug 28 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 251 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 2. | Jul 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 272 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 272 available after Feb 16. | Aug 23 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 22 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 251 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 251 available after Feb 23. | Aug 4 |
| Watermelon | Feb 2 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 251 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 251 available after Feb 23. | Jul 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Zinnias | Jan 19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
Month by month in Tucson
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Calendula (Jan 5), Cauliflower (Jan 5), Marigolds (Jan 5), Pepper (Jan 5), Basil (Jan 12), Tomato (Jan 12), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Jan 5), Cilantro (Jan 19), Turnip (Jan 19), Carrots (Jan 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 19), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 19), Cabbage (Jan 19), Collards (Jan 19), Kale (Jan 19), Lettuce (Jan 19), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 12). |
| February | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Feb 2), Cantaloupe (Feb 2), Melons (Feb 2), Pumpkin (Feb 2), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 2), Watermelon (Feb 2), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Feb 2), Sunflowers (Feb 16), Beans (Feb 23), Pole Beans (Feb 23). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 2), Swiss Chard (Feb 2), Bok Choy (Feb 9), Cauliflower (Feb 9), Cosmos (Feb 16), Lavender (Feb 16), +15 more. Last frost around February 16. |
| March | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Mar 2), Cantaloupe (Mar 2), Cucumber (Mar 2), Eggplant (Mar 2), Melons (Mar 2), Pepper (Mar 2), +6 more. |
| April | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| May | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| June | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 17), Pumpkin (Jul 17), Cantaloupe (Jul 25), Celery (Jul 25), Melons (Jul 25), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 27), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 4), Tomatillos (Aug 4), Eggplant (Aug 9), Corn (Aug 11), Sunflowers (Aug 23), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 28), +1 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 2), Cosmos (Sep 2), Cucumber (Sep 2), Zinnias (Sep 2), Broccoli (Sep 3), Nasturtiums (Sep 7), +13 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 3), Cilantro (Oct 3), Collards (Oct 7), Scallions (Oct 7), Bok Choy (Oct 8), Lettuce (Oct 8), +6 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 24), Lavender (Nov 24), Onion (Nov 24), Rosemary (Nov 24). Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 29). First frost around November 29. |
| December | Start indoors: Celery (Dec 8), Collards (Dec 8), Kale (Dec 8), Oregano (Dec 8), Parsley (Dec 8), Scallions (Dec 8), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 22), Beets (Dec 22), Dill (Dec 22), Peas (Dec 22), Radish (Dec 22), Spinach (Dec 22). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 20). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Tucson, AZ (ZIP 85718)?
The median last spring frost date for Tucson, AZ (ZIP code 85718) is around February 16. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before January 17; one in ten it runs past March 18.
What is the first fall frost date in Tucson, AZ?
The median first fall frost date for Tucson, AZ is around November 29. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around November 9 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Tucson, AZ?
The frost-free growing season in Tucson is about 286 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Tucson (286 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Tucson, AZ?
Tucson, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Tucson, AZ?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 12 and plant out Mar 2 in Tucson. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Tucson?
Two: plant Jan 19 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6.
When do I plant garlic in Tucson?
Nov 29 to Dec 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Tucson?
Yes: plant out Mar 2 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 30 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Tucson, AZ 85710 (8.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Vail, AZ 85641 (25.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Marana, AZ 85653 (27.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Sahuarita, AZ 85629 (27.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Benson, AZ 85602 (32.4 mi)
- When to plant in Tucson, AZ: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in AZ
- When to plant Peppers in AZ
- When to plant Cucumbers in AZ
- When to plant Zucchini in AZ
- When to plant Butternut Squash in AZ
- When to plant Basil in AZ
- When to plant Sweet Corn in AZ
- Look up another ZIP