Tucson, AZ planting zone & frost dates
Tucson is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around January 20 and the first fall frost around December 17, for a growing season of about 332 days.
Planting calendar for Tucson
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (January 20) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Nov 25 – Dec 9 Transplant outdoors: Jan 27 – Feb 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 11 – Nov 25 Transplant outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 11 – Nov 25 Transplant outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 11 – Nov 25 Transplant outdoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 11 – Nov 25 Transplant outdoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 9 – Dec 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 9 – Dec 23 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Jan 27 – Feb 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Jan 27 – Feb 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Jan 27 – Feb 3 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Jan 27 – Feb 3 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 9 – Dec 23 Transplant outdoors: Jan 27 – Feb 3 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 22 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 17).
Useful for zone 9b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Dec 19 | Jan 20 | Feb 18 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 12 | Dec 17 | Nov 28 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after February 18, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 28. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 4.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Tucson
- 85701 zone 9b
- 85702 zone 9b
- 85703 zone 9b
- 85704 zone 9a
- 85705 zone 9b
- 85706 zone 9b
- 85707 zone 9b
- 85708 zone 9b
- 85709 zone 9b
- 85710 zone 9b
- 85711 zone 9b
- 85712 zone 9b
- 85713 zone 9b
- 85714 zone 9b
- 85715 zone 9b
- 85716 zone 9b
- 85717 zone 9b
- 85718 zone 9a
- 85719 zone 9b
- 85720 zone 9b
- 85722 zone 9b
- 85723 zone 9b
- 85724 zone 9b
- 85725 zone 9b
- 85726 zone 9b
- 85728 zone 9b
- 85730 zone 9a
- 85731 zone 9b
- 85732 zone 9b
- 85733 zone 9b
- 85734 zone 9a
- 85735 zone 9a
- 85736 zone 8b
- 85737 zone 9a
- 85739 zone 9a
- 85740 zone 9a
- 85741 zone 9a
- 85742 zone 9b
- 85743 zone 9b
- 85744 zone 9a
- 85745 zone 9b
- 85746 zone 9a
- 85747 zone 9a
- 85748 zone 9a
- 85749 zone 9a
- 85750 zone 9a
- 85751 zone 9b
- 85752 zone 9b
- 85754 zone 9b
- 85755 zone 9a
- 85756 zone 9a
- 85757 zone 9a
- 85775 zone 9b
Nearby cities
- Catalina Foothills zone 9a, last frost Feb 20
- Flowing Wells zone 9b, last frost Feb 11
- Casas Adobes zone 9a, last frost Feb 26
- Drexel Heights zone 9b, last frost Feb 5
- Tucson Estates zone 9b, last frost Feb 8
- Oro Valley zone 9a, last frost Apr 2
- Tanque Verde zone 9a, last frost Jan 26
- Sahuarita zone 9a, last frost Feb 25
Questions
What growing zone is Tucson, AZ?
Tucson is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zones 8b, 9a.
When is the last frost in Tucson?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Tucson is January 20. There is still a 10% chance of frost until February 18.
When can I plant tomatoes in Tucson?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Jan 27 – Feb 3. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Tucson Wfo, AZ (USC00028815), 2.7 km (1.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 742 m, based on 14 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.