Last frost date in Catalina Foothills, AZ

Average last frost
February 20

In Catalina Foothills, the last spring frost comes around February 20 in an average year. Wait until March 11 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 27, which leaves 280 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 10 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 11
Average first frost
Nov 27
Frost-free season
280 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 30
Next 6 nights in Catalina Foothills

No frost in the next 6 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2260°
  2. FriOct 2358°
  3. SatOct 2457°
  4. SunOct 2558°
  5. MonOct 2660°
  6. TueOct 2761°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Feb 20First frost Nov 27280 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND280 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Tucson Camp Ave Experiment, 3.7 miles from Catalina Foothills.

Planting calendar for Catalina Foothills

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Arizona.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesFeb 27–Mar 13
PumpkinsMar 6–Mar 20
SunflowersFeb 20–Mar 13
CucumbersMar 6–Mar 13
CornFeb 27–Mar 13
Sweet potatoesMar 13–Mar 27
WatermelonMar 6–Mar 20
Green beansFeb 27–Mar 20
ZucchiniFeb 27–Mar 13
OkraMar 13–Mar 27
PeppersMar 6–Mar 20
BasilFeb 27–Mar 13
Butternut squashFeb 27–Mar 13
CantaloupeMar 6–Mar 20
EggplantMar 6–Mar 20
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesJan 23–Feb 6
OnionsJan 9–Jan 30
CarrotsJan 30–Mar 6
LettuceFeb 6–Feb 27
BroccoliJan 23–Feb 6
BeetsJan 23–Mar 6
PeasJan 9–Jan 23
CabbageJan 23–Feb 6
RadishesJan 16–Feb 27
Brussels sproutsFeb 6–Feb 20
SpinachJan 9–Jan 30
CilantroFeb 6–Feb 27
KaleJan 23–Feb 6
Collard greensJan 23–Feb 6
TurnipsJan 23–Feb 6
DillFeb 20–Mar 6
CeleryFeb 27–Mar 6
CauliflowerFeb 6–Feb 20
LeeksFeb 6–Feb 20
Swiss chardFeb 6–Mar 6
ParsleyFeb 6–Feb 27
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsNov 13–Dec 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesJan 23–Feb 6
AsparagusJan 23–Feb 6

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FJan 30Feb 20Mar 11Nov 10Nov 27Dec 12
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 29Jan 30Feb 24Nov 23Dec 10Jan 2

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Tucson Camp Ave Experiment (USC00028796) sits 3.7 miles from the center of Catalina Foothills at 2,330 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Catalina Foothills, AZ?

The average last frost date in Catalina Foothills is February 20, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 11.

When is the first frost in Catalina Foothills?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 27. One year in ten it arrives before November 10.

How long is the growing season in Catalina Foothills?

About 280 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Catalina Foothills?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from February 27 to March 13. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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