Last frost date in Sun City, AZ

Average last frost
January 20

Expect the last frost in Sun City around January 20. Frost after February 18 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 15, which leaves 331 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 28 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Feb 18
Average first frost
Dec 15
Frost-free season
331 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 3
Next 6 nights in Sun City

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2262°
  2. FriOct 2359°
  3. SatOct 2459°
  4. SunOct 2560°
  5. MonOct 2661°
  6. TueOct 2762°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 20First frost Dec 15331 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND331 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Youngtown, 1.8 miles from Sun City.

Planting calendar for Sun City

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 15–Mar 1
PumpkinsFeb 15–Mar 1
SunflowersFeb 15–Mar 8
CucumbersFeb 22–Mar 1
CornFeb 15–Mar 1
Sweet potatoesFeb 15–Mar 1
WatermelonFeb 15–Mar 1
Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8
ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1
OkraFeb 15–Mar 1
PeppersFeb 15–Mar 1
BasilFeb 15–Mar 1
Butternut squashFeb 15–Mar 1
CantaloupeFeb 15–Mar 1
EggplantFeb 15–Mar 1
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesDec 23–Jan 6
OnionsDec 9–Dec 30
CarrotsDec 30–Feb 3
LettuceJan 6–Jan 27
BroccoliDec 23–Jan 6
BeetsDec 23–Feb 3
PeasDec 9–Dec 23
CabbageDec 23–Jan 6
RadishesDec 16–Jan 27
Brussels sproutsJan 6–Jan 20
SpinachDec 9–Dec 30
CilantroJan 6–Jan 27
KaleDec 23–Jan 6
Collard greensDec 23–Jan 6
TurnipsDec 23–Jan 6
DillJan 20–Feb 3
CeleryJan 27–Feb 3
CauliflowerJan 6–Jan 20
LeeksJan 6–Jan 20
Swiss chardJan 6–Feb 3
ParsleyJan 6–Jan 27
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 23–Jan 6
AsparagusDec 23–Jan 6

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 23Jan 20Feb 18Nov 28Dec 15Jan 7
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 13Jan 3Feb 1Dec 10Dec 29Jan 22

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 Youngtown (USC00029634) sits 1.8 miles from the center of Sun City at 1,135 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 Sun City, AZ?

The average last frost date in Sun City is January 20, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 18.

When is the first frost in Sun City?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 15. One year in ten it arrives before November 28.

How long is the growing season in Sun City?

About 331 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Sun City?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from February 15 to March 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Arizona

All 30 cities in Arizona