Arizona Planting Calendar

Frost dates, growing zones, and planting dates for Arizona gardeners.

Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b Zone 6a Zone 6b Zone 7a Zone 7b Zone 8a Zone 8b Zone 9a Zone 9b Zone 10a Zone 10b

The Short Answer

Arizona spans USDA zones 4b through 10b, which means planting dates vary significantly across the state. Northern Arizona (Flagstaff) has an average last frost around May 15 - Jun 5, while Southern Arizona (Tucson) sees its last frost around Feb 1 - Feb 25. Use our homepage tool with your zip code for dates specific to your exact location.

Arizona Frost Dates by Region

Extreme heat in summer lowlands. Two planting seasons in Phoenix — spring and fall (summer is too hot). High elevation has traditional cold-climate seasons.

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern Arizona (Flagstaff)	4b, 5a, 5b, 6a	May 15 - Jun 5	Sep 15 - Oct 10
Central Arizona (Phoenix)	9a, 9b, 10a	Jan 15 - Feb 10	Dec 1 - Dec 20
Southern Arizona (Tucson)	8b, 9a, 9b	Feb 1 - Feb 25	Nov 20 - Dec 15

Soil & Growing Conditions

Alkaline, mineral-rich desert soils. Low organic matter. Heavy amendment with compost essential. Caliche layers may need to be broken.

What to Plant in Arizona

Arizona's near-tropical climate means your growing calendar is inverted — cool-season crops in winter, heat-tolerant crops in summer, and tropical plants year-round:

Tropical & Heat Lovers (Year-Round)

Okra Sweet Potatoes Eggplant Basil

Cool-Season Window (Oct–Mar)

Tomatoes Peppers Lettuce Broccoli Carrots Kale Peas Spinach Beans (Green/Snap)Cucumbers

Browse all 100 plants — or enter your zip code for personalized planting dates.

Neighboring States

Gardeners near state borders may find useful information in neighboring state guides:

Alabama Alaska Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Frost dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages. Actual frost dates can vary significantly year to year. Zone data is from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026