Tacna 3 NE, AZ Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Tacna 3 NE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 13
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 1
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
291 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jan 19 Feb 13 Mar 5
First fall frost Dec 17 Dec 1 Nov 14
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 23 · first Dec 11

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the TACNA 3 NE station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Tacna 3 NE

Computed from Tacna 3 NE's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Dec 19 – Jan 2 Feb 20 – Feb 27
🫑 Peppers Dec 5 – Dec 19 Feb 27 – Mar 6
🥬 Lettuce Jan 2 – Jan 16 Jan 16 – Jan 30 Jan 16 – Feb 13
🫛 Peas Jan 2 – Jan 16
🥕 Carrots Jan 23 – Feb 13
🥦 Broccoli Dec 26 – Jan 9 Jan 23 – Feb 6
🥬 Kale Jan 2 – Jan 16 Jan 16 – Jan 30 Jan 16 – Jan 30
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 16 – Jan 23 Feb 20 – Feb 27 Feb 20 – Feb 27
🥒 Zucchini Jan 16 – Jan 23 Feb 20 – Feb 27 Feb 20 – Feb 27
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 20 – Feb 27
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 20 – Feb 27
🌿 Basil Jan 2 – Jan 16 Feb 20 – Feb 27 Feb 27 – Mar 6
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 20 – Nov 17

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Tacna 3 NE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Tacna 3 NE

With roughly 291 frost-free days, Tacna 3 NE gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Dec 1 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Tacna 3 NE, AZ?

The average last spring frost in Tacna 3 NE is around Feb 13, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Tacna 3 NE, AZ?

The average first fall frost in Tacna 3 NE arrives around Dec 1. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Tacna 3 NE?

About 291 frost-free days on average, from Feb 13 to Dec 1. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Tacna 3 NE in?

USDA zone 9b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.