Frost dates for 85736Tucson, AZ
The average last spring frost in Tucson is March 27 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 226 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 27
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 226 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 13 · Apr 30 | Oct 16 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 199 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 27 · Apr 18 | Oct 25 · Nov 9 · Nov 26 | 226 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 9 · Mar 6 · Apr 2 | Nov 2 · Nov 21 · Dec 9 | 257 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tucson
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – May 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – Mar 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – May 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85736 is matched to the NOAA station Anvil Rch, AZ, 8.8 km away, at 2,759 ft elevation (282 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anvil Rch, AZ (used) | 2,759 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 9 |
| Kitt Peak, AZ | 6,790 ft | Apr 26 | Nov 4 |
| Green Valley, AZ | 2,900 ft | Feb 25 | Nov 27 |
| Tucson 11 W, AZ | 2,733 ft | Feb 8 | Dec 10 |
Frost dates near Tucson
- Tucson, AZ 85735 · last Mar 27, first Nov 9
- Green Valley, AZ 85622 · last Feb 25, first Nov 27
- Arivaca, AZ 85601 · last Mar 21, first Nov 20
- Sahuarita, AZ 85629 · last Feb 25, first Nov 27
- Amado, AZ 85645 · last Apr 5, first Nov 10
- Topawa, AZ 85639 · last Mar 27, first Nov 9
- Tubac, AZ 85646 · last Apr 5, first Nov 10
- Tumacacori, AZ 85640 · last Apr 5, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tucson, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85736, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Anvil Rch, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Tucson, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 85736?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 226 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.