Tucson 11 W, AZ Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Tucson 11 W garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 8
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 10
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
305 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 6 Feb 8 Mar 8
First fall frost Jan 3 Dec 10 Nov 22
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 20 · first Dec 27

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the TUCSON 11 W 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 Tucson 11 W

Computed from Tucson 11 W'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 14 – Dec 28 Feb 15 – Feb 22
🫑 Peppers Nov 30 – Dec 14 Feb 22 – Mar 1
🥬 Lettuce Dec 28 – Jan 11 Jan 11 – Jan 25 Jan 11 – Feb 8
🫛 Peas Dec 28 – Jan 11
🥕 Carrots Jan 18 – Feb 8
🥦 Broccoli Dec 21 – Jan 4 Jan 18 – Feb 1
🥬 Kale Dec 28 – Jan 11 Jan 11 – Jan 25 Jan 11 – Jan 25
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 11 – Jan 18 Feb 15 – Feb 22 Feb 15 – Feb 22
🥒 Zucchini Jan 11 – Jan 18 Feb 15 – Feb 22 Feb 15 – Feb 22
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 15 – Feb 22
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 15 – Feb 22
🌿 Basil Dec 28 – Jan 11 Feb 15 – Feb 22 Feb 22 – Mar 1
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 29 – Nov 26

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 Tucson 11 W's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Tucson 11 W

With roughly 305 frost-free days, Tucson 11 W 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 10 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Tucson 11 W, AZ?

The average last spring frost in Tucson 11 W is around Feb 8, 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 Tucson 11 W, AZ?

The average first fall frost in Tucson 11 W arrives around Dec 10. 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 Tucson 11 W?

About 305 frost-free days on average, from Feb 8 to Dec 10. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Tucson 11 W 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.