Catalina Foothills, AZ planting zone & frost dates
Catalina Foothills is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. The last spring frost usually comes around February 20 and the first fall frost around November 27, for a growing season of about 280 days.
Planting calendar for Catalina Foothills
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (February 20) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Dec 26 – Jan 9 Transplant outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 12 – Dec 26 Transplant outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 12 – Dec 26 Transplant outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 12 – Dec 26 Transplant outdoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 12 – Dec 26 Transplant outdoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 9 – Jan 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 9 – Jan 23 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 6 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 6 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 9 – Jan 23 Transplant outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 6 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 2 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 27).
Useful for zone 9a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Jan 30 | Feb 20 | Mar 11 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 12 | Nov 27 | Nov 10 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 11, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 10. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 30.
Nearby cities
- Tucson zone 9b, last frost Jan 20
- Casas Adobes zone 9a, last frost Feb 26
- Flowing Wells zone 9b, last frost Feb 11
- Oro Valley zone 9a, last frost Apr 2
- Tanque Verde zone 9a, last frost Jan 26
- Drexel Heights zone 9b, last frost Feb 5
- Tucson Estates zone 9b, last frost Feb 8
- Saddlebrooke zone 9a, last frost Apr 2
Questions
What growing zone is Catalina Foothills, AZ?
Catalina Foothills is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9a (average extreme winter low 20°F to 25°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Catalina Foothills?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Catalina Foothills is February 20. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 11.
When can I plant tomatoes in Catalina Foothills?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 27 – Mar 6. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Tucson Camp Ave Exp, AZ (USC00028796), 3.0 km (1.9 mi) from the city center, elevation 710 m, based on 22 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.