Last frost date in Tucson, AZ

Average last frost
February 5

The average last frost in Tucson is February 5. By March 2 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 9, which leaves 307 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 21 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 2
Average first frost
Dec 9
Frost-free season
307 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 11
Next 6 nights in Tucson

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2258°
  2. FriOct 2356°
  3. SatOct 2455°
  4. SunOct 2555°
  5. MonOct 2658°
  6. TueOct 2759°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Feb 5First frost Dec 9307 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND307 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Tucson International Airport, 5.2 miles from Tucson.

Planting calendar for Tucson

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 19–Mar 5
SunflowersFeb 15–Mar 8
CucumbersFeb 22–Mar 1
CornFeb 15–Mar 1
Sweet potatoesFeb 26–Mar 12
WatermelonFeb 19–Mar 5
Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8
ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1
OkraFeb 26–Mar 12
PeppersFeb 19–Mar 5
BasilFeb 15–Mar 1
Butternut squashFeb 15–Mar 1
CantaloupeFeb 19–Mar 5
EggplantFeb 19–Mar 5
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesJan 8–Jan 22
OnionsDec 25–Jan 15
CarrotsJan 15–Feb 19
LettuceJan 22–Feb 12
BroccoliJan 8–Jan 22
BeetsJan 8–Feb 19
PeasDec 25–Jan 8
CabbageJan 8–Jan 22
RadishesJan 1–Feb 12
Brussels sproutsJan 22–Feb 5
SpinachDec 25–Jan 15
CilantroJan 22–Feb 12
KaleJan 8–Jan 22
Collard greensJan 8–Jan 22
TurnipsJan 8–Jan 22
DillFeb 5–Feb 19
CeleryFeb 12–Feb 19
CauliflowerJan 22–Feb 5
LeeksJan 22–Feb 5
Swiss chardJan 22–Feb 19
ParsleyJan 22–Feb 12
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesJan 8–Jan 22
AsparagusJan 8–Jan 22

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FJan 4Feb 5Mar 2Nov 21Dec 9Jan 3
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 14Jan 11Feb 17Nov 30Dec 26Feb 1

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 International Airport (USW00023160) sits 5.2 miles from the center of Tucson at 2,549 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 Tucson, AZ?

The average last frost date in Tucson is February 5, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 2.

When is the first frost in Tucson?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 9. One year in ten it arrives before November 21.

How long is the growing season in Tucson?

About 307 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Tucson?

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

Nearby in Arizona

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