Tucson, AZ Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in Tucson

In October:

• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Oct 6)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Oct 6)
• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Oct 16)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Oct 26)

The list above is for the month this page was built; the box is refreshed in your browser for today's date.

Spring planting dates

“Plant out” means transplanting for crops started indoors and sowing or planting directly in the garden for the others. Each column applies CSU Extension's timing rule to a different last-frost anchor: aggressive = typical date (Feb 5, 50% risk), balanced = Feb 17 (30%), safe = Mar 2 (10%). For hardy crops the cell shows the CSU “as early as” window.

A soil thermometer helps here. CSU recommends checking soil temperature at 4 inches (6 inches for beans) before sowing. NOAA doesn't publish soil-temperature normals, so instead of a date, each crop shows CSU's minimum soil temperature.

Fall planting dates

Latest dates for a fall harvest, using the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension count-back formula: days to harvest (CSU) + 14-day fall factor + 14-day frost-tender factor for frost-sensitive crops, counted back from the first-frost date. For transplanted crops (CSU days are from transplant) the result is the latest transplant date; seeds go in CSU's transplant-age weeks earlier. We add no harvest period, so these dates give you a first harvest by the first frost, not a long harvest.

Month-by-month: what to plant in Tucson

What to plant in Tucson in January

• Start pepper seeds indoors (Jan 6–20)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Dec 30 – Jan 20)

What to plant in Tucson in February

• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 2)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 2)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 2)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 2)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 16)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 16)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 16)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 16)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 16)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (Feb 21 – Mar 7)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Jan 8 – Feb 16)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)

What to plant in Tucson in March

• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Jan 22 – Mar 2)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 2)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 2)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 2)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Feb 5 – Mar 2)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 16)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 16)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 16)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 16)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Feb 19 – Mar 16)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (Feb 21 – Mar 7)

What to plant in Tucson in April

• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (Apr 11)

What to plant in Tucson in July

• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 14–28)

What to plant in Tucson in August

• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Aug 3–17)

What to plant in Tucson in September

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Sep 1)
• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Sep 12)
• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Sep 16)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Sep 17)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Sep 21)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Sep 21)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Sep 22)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Sep 26)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Sep 26)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Sep 26)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Sep 26)

What to plant in Tucson in October

• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Oct 6)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Oct 6)
• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Oct 16)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Oct 26)

What to plant in Tucson in December

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Dec 2–16)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Dec 2–16)
• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Dec 16–30)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Dec 30 – Jan 20)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in Tucson

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rules are to set tomatoes out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost and only once nights are above 52°F. In Tucson, the frost rule alone would allow about Feb 19, but the average nightly low at Tucson International Airport isn't above 52°F until Apr 11, so the night rule sets the date at every risk level: about Apr 11. Start seeds indoors Feb 21 – Mar 7, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on Apr 11. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At Tucson International Airport, the normal low reaches 55°F on Apr 24. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for tomato plants is 65 days. Set out on Apr 11, they would start producing around Jun 15, 177 days before the typical first frost (Dec 9).

When to plant peppers in Tucson

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is 2+ weeks after the average last frost, which puts peppers outside around Feb 19 (typical date), Mar 3 (balanced) or Mar 16 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Jan 6–20, 6–8 weeks ahead of transplanting on Mar 3. CSU notes that nights under 55°F hurt fruit set. The normal low at Tucson International Airport climbs to 55°F on Apr 24. Using CSU's typical 70 days from transplant to harvest, pepper plants set out on Mar 3 would start producing around May 12. That's 211 days before the typical first frost (Dec 9).

When to plant potatoes in Tucson

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting potatoes as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 45°F or warmer. For Tucson, that's roughly Jan 22 – Feb 5 by the typical date or Feb 16 – Mar 2 by the safer date.

When to plant onions (dry, from sets) in Tucson

Hardy crop. CSU says onions (dry, from sets) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Jan 8–22 in Tucson using the typical date, or Feb 2–16 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F.

When to plant peas in Tucson

Hardy crop. CSU says peas can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Jan 8–22 in Tucson using the typical date, or Feb 2–16 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, count back 79 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 21, or by Sep 3 to be safe.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in Tucson

Hardy crop. Per CSU, lettuce (leaf) can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 35°F. For Tucson, that works out to roughly Jan 8–22 (typical date) or Feb 2–16 (safer date). For fall, sow by Sep 26 (Sep 8 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant carrots in Tucson

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, carrots can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Jan 22 – Feb 5 in Tucson (typical date) or Feb 16 – Mar 2 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For fall, count back 84 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 16, or by Aug 29 to be safe.

When to plant beans (snap) in Tucson

Tender crop. CSU's timing for beans (snap) is around the average last frost, which is about Feb 5 in Tucson. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until Mar 2. Seeds want soil at 55°F or warmer. For fall, count back 88 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 12, or by Aug 25 to be safe.

When to plant summer squash in Tucson

Tender crop. CSU's timing for summer squash is around the average last frost, which is about Feb 5 in Tucson. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until Mar 2. Seeds want soil at 60°F or warmer. For fall, count back 78 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 22, or by Sep 4 to be safe.

When to plant broccoli in Tucson

Hardy crop. CSU says broccoli can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Tucson, that's roughly Jan 8–22 going by the typical date, or Feb 2–16 going by the safer date. Set out on Jan 20, broccoli plants would start producing around Mar 26, based on CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 258 days before the typical first frost (Dec 9). For a fall harvest of broccoli, get transplants in the ground by Sep 21 (UNL Extension count-back from the typical first frost, Dec 9, with CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest). To raise your own, sow seeds Aug 3–17, 5–7 weeks ahead (CSU).

When to plant cabbage in Tucson

Hardy crop. CSU says cabbage can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Tucson, that's roughly Jan 8–22 going by the typical date, or Feb 2–16 going by the safer date. Set out on Jan 20, cabbage plants would start producing around Apr 15, based on CSU's typical 85 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 238 days before the typical first frost (Dec 9). Fall cabbage: set transplants out by Sep 1. The date counts back from the typical first frost (Dec 9) by UNL Extension's method, using CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest. Home-grown transplants need seeds started Jul 14–28 (CSU: 5–7 weeks).

When to plant cauliflower in Tucson

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting cauliflower as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For Tucson, that's roughly Jan 22 – Feb 5 by the typical date or Feb 16 – Mar 2 by the safer date.

When to plant kohlrabi in Tucson

Hardy crop. CSU says kohlrabi can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Tucson, that's roughly Jan 8–22 going by the typical date, or Feb 2–16 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Oct 6, or by Sep 18 to be safe. That's 64 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant green onions in Tucson

Hardy crop. CSU says green onions can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Jan 8–22 in Tucson using the typical date, or Feb 2–16 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 26, or by Sep 8 to be safe.

When to plant radishes in Tucson

Hardy crop. CSU says radishes can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Tucson, that's roughly Jan 8–22 going by the typical date, or Feb 2–16 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Oct 26 (Oct 8 to be safe), which is 44 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant spinach in Tucson

Hardy crop. CSU says spinach can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Jan 8–22 in Tucson using the typical date, or Feb 2–16 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Oct 16, or by Sep 28 to be safe. That's 54 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant turnips in Tucson

Hardy crop. CSU says turnips can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Tucson, that's roughly Jan 8–22 going by the typical date, or Feb 2–16 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Oct 6 (Sep 18 to be safe), which is 64 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant beets in Tucson

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting beets as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For Tucson, that's roughly Jan 22 – Feb 5 by the typical date or Feb 16 – Mar 2 by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 26, or by Sep 8 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant swiss chard in Tucson

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says swiss chard can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Tucson, that's roughly Jan 22 – Feb 5 going by the typical date, or Feb 16 – Mar 2 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 26, or by Sep 8 to be safe.

When to plant parsnips in Tucson

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says parsnips can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 35°F. In Tucson, that's roughly Jan 22 – Feb 5 going by the typical date, or Feb 16 – Mar 2 going by the safer date.

When to plant sweet corn in Tucson

Tender crop. CSU says to sow sweet corn around the average last frost, about Feb 5 in Tucson. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Mar 2. Seeds need soil of at least 50°F.

When to plant cucumbers in Tucson

Tender crop. CSU's timing for cucumbers is around the average last frost, which is about Feb 5 in Tucson. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until Mar 2. Seeds want soil at 60°F or warmer. For fall, count back 83 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 17, or by Aug 30 to be safe.

When to plant eggplant in Tucson

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is 2+ weeks after the average last frost, which puts eggplant outside around Feb 19 (typical date), Mar 3 (balanced) or Mar 16 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Dec 30 – Jan 20, 6–9 weeks ahead of transplanting on Mar 3. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for eggplant plants is 60 days. Set out on Mar 3, they would start producing around May 2, 221 days before the typical first frost (Dec 9).

When to plant cantaloupe in Tucson

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant cantaloupe 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about Feb 19 (typical date), Mar 3 (balanced) or Mar 16 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in Tucson

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant watermelon 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about Feb 19 (typical date), Mar 3 (balanced) or Mar 16 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in Tucson

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant winter squash at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Feb 19 using the typical date, Mar 3 as a balanced choice, or Mar 16 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

How these dates are calculated

CSU states its spring rules relative to “the average last spring frost.” We use the 50% date as that average and also show the 30% and 10% anchors. See the methodology for details and limitations.

FAQ

When should I start seeds indoors in Tucson?

Start tomatoes Feb 21 – Mar 7 and peppers Jan 6–20. Both dates count back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in Tucson?

About Apr 11, at every risk level. CSU wants tomatoes out 2+ weeks after the average last frost (that rule alone gives about Feb 19 here) and nights above 52°F. At Tucson International Airport, the average nightly low first rises above 52°F on Apr 11, later than the frost-rule date, so the night rule sets the date.

What can I plant in Tucson in the fall?

These sowing deadlines count back from the typical first frost (Dec 9) using UNL Extension's method: peas by Sep 21; lettuce (leaf) by Sep 26; carrots by Sep 16; beans (snap) by Sep 12; summer squash by Sep 22; broccoli by Sep 21 (transplants); cabbage by Sep 1 (transplants); kohlrabi by Oct 6; green onions by Sep 26; radishes by Oct 26; spinach by Oct 16; turnips by Oct 6; beets by Sep 26; swiss chard by Sep 26; cucumbers by Sep 17.

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