When is the last frost in Tucson, AZ?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Tucson is February 5, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until March 2.

When is the first frost in Tucson?

The average first fall frost in Tucson is December 9, with a growing season of about 307 days.

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Tucson, Arizona frost dates

Average last spring frost: February 5. Average first fall frost: December 9. That gives a growing season of about 307 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is March 2, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Feb 5

1-in-10 risk after Mar 2

First frost (50%)

Dec 9

1-in-10 risk before Nov 21

Growing season

307 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Jan 11

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	January 4	January 3
70%	January 23	December 17
50%	February 5	December 9
30%	February 17	November 30
10%	March 2	November 21

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after March 2. These are NOAA probabilities for the Tucson International Airport weather station (USW00023160, elevation 777 m), 1991–2020.

Tucson vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (February 5). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (Mar 2) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Jan 15	Feb 12 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Nov 27	Jan 8
Brussels sprouts	Nov 27	Jan 8
Cabbage	Nov 20	Jan 1
Cauliflower	Dec 11	Jan 22
Sweet corn	Jan 8	Feb 5 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Jan 22	Feb 12
Kale	Nov 20	Jan 1
Leeks	Oct 23	Jan 1
Lettuce	Dec 18	Jan 22
Melons	Jan 29	Feb 19
Onions	Oct 16	Dec 25 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Dec 11	Jan 8 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Dec 25	Feb 19
Squash	Jan 29	Feb 19
Tomatoes	Dec 11	Feb 5

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around December 9. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before November 21. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around December 26.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Phoenix, AZ	Jan 5	Jan 3	~174 km
Flagstaff, AZ	Jun 4	Sep 28	~341 km
El Paso, TX	Mar 2	Nov 20	~432 km
Albuquerque, NM	Apr 6	Nov 3	~520 km
San Diego, CA	–	–	~589 km
Las Vegas, NV	Jan 20	Dec 15	~590 km

More: all Arizona frost dates