Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 85724 (Tucson, AZ)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Tucson WFO, AZ (1 miles away).
- Average last spring frostJan 2050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)332 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at NOAA USCRN station Tucson 11 W, 13 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 74°, Fri 77°, Sat 76°.
4-inch depth
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 75°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Measured at NOAA USCRN station Tucson 11 W, 13 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 73°, Fri 76°, Sat 76°.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 85724 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 76°F at 4 inches. Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): not yet. Apply as soil cools toward 70°F (typically September to October).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Arid Southwest (low desert). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Mar 7 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Perennial ryegrass (cool-season): Early fall: September; Late fall: October–November; Overseeded Bermuda: Light feeding once the winter rye is established, if needed. Avoid: Summer feeding.
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 8–Nov 5
- Kale: fall transplant Sep 24–Oct 22
- Collards: fall transplant Sep 24–Oct 22
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 8–22
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 8–Nov 5
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 22–Nov 12
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 12
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 5
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 19
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 22–Nov 5
- Radish: fall sowing Nov 5–19
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
- Garlic: fall sowing Nov 5–Dec 3
- Shallot: fall sowing Nov 5–Dec 3
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 28–Nov 11
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Dec 19 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 20 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 18 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Nov 28 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 17 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 12 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Feb 14 | Dec 4 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 20 | Dec 17 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 4 | Dec 30 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 85724
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 20) and first fall frost (Dec 17). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 11–25 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 11–25 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Dec 30–Jan 20 (transplant) Dec 23–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 12 (transplant) Oct 8–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) Dec 23–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (transplant) Sep 10–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Dec 23–Jan 20 (transplant) Dec 23–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (transplant) Sep 10–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 11–25 | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 11–25 | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 11–25 | Jan 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 17 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) Dec 23–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 23–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 23–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 19 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 23–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 9–23 | Jan 6–27 (transplant) Jan 6–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 23–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 30–Jan 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 16–Jan 27 (sow outdoors) | Nov 5–19 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 23–Jan 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 30–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 25–Dec 23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 9–Jan 6 (sow outdoors) | Oct 8–22 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 5–Dec 3 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 9–23 (transplant) | Nov 5–Dec 3 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 10–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 23–30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 23–30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 23–30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 23–30 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 23–30 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 9–23 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Feb 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 28–Nov 11 | Jan 27–Feb 3 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 9–23 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 6–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 11–25 | Jan 6–20 (transplant) Dec 30–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 22–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 23–Jan 6 (transplant) | Oct 8–Nov 5 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Tucson WFO, AZ (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00028815), elevation 2,435 ft, 0.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson Camp Ave EXP, AZ | 3 mi | Feb 20 | Nov 27 |
| Tucson U Of A #1, AZ | 4 mi | Feb 11 | Dec 2 |
| Tohono Chul, AZ | 7 mi | Feb 26 | Dec 4 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 37 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 85724
When is the last frost in 85724?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 85724 is January 20. For a more cautious planting date, use February 18, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 85724?
The average first fall freeze is December 17. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 28.
What hardiness zone is 85724?
ZIP 85724 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 85724 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
85719 Tucson 85721 Tucson 85716 Tucson 85701 Tucson 85726 Tucson 85705 Tucson 85712 Tucson 85711 Tucson
Other ZIP codes in Pima County
85321 85341 85601 85614 85619 85622 85629 85633 85634 85639 85641 85645 85653 85654 85701 85704 85705 85706 85707 85708 85709 85710 85711 85712 All Pima County frost dates · Arizona frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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- Weekly yard to-dos
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.