Tucson 17 NW, AZ Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Tucson 17 NW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 23
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 6
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
286 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 15 Feb 23 Mar 22
First fall frost Dec 25 Dec 6 Nov 18
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 22 · first Dec 19

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the TUCSON 17 NW 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 17 NW

Computed from Tucson 17 NW'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 29 – Jan 12 Mar 2 – Mar 9
🫑 Peppers Dec 15 – Dec 29 Mar 9 – Mar 16
🥬 Lettuce Jan 12 – Jan 26 Jan 26 – Feb 9 Jan 26 – Feb 23
🫛 Peas Jan 12 – Jan 26
🥕 Carrots Feb 2 – Feb 23
🥦 Broccoli Jan 5 – Jan 19 Feb 2 – Feb 16
🥬 Kale Jan 12 – Jan 26 Jan 26 – Feb 9 Jan 26 – Feb 9
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 26 – Feb 2 Mar 2 – Mar 9 Mar 2 – Mar 9
🥒 Zucchini Jan 26 – Feb 2 Mar 2 – Mar 9 Mar 2 – Mar 9
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 2 – Mar 9
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 2 – Mar 9
🌿 Basil Jan 12 – Jan 26 Mar 2 – Mar 9 Mar 9 – Mar 16
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 25 – Nov 22

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 17 NW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Tucson 17 NW

With roughly 286 frost-free days, Tucson 17 NW 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 6 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Tucson 17 NW, AZ?

The average last spring frost in Tucson 17 NW is around Feb 23, 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 17 NW, AZ?

The average first fall frost in Tucson 17 NW arrives around Dec 6. 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 17 NW?

About 286 frost-free days on average, from Feb 23 to Dec 6. 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 17 NW 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.