When to Plant Tomatoes in Arizona
In Arizona, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Jan 11 – Jan 25 in Bullhead City to Jun 11 – Jun 25 in Flagstaff. In Phoenix, it's Jan 15 – Jan 29. The average last spring frost differs by about 22 weeks across the state (Jan 4 in Bullhead City, Jun 4 in Flagstaff), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in Arizona by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache Junction | 9b | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Avondale | 9b | Nov 19 – Dec 3 | Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Buckeye | 9b | Nov 12 – Nov 26 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 |
| Bullhead City | 10a | Nov 9 – Nov 23 | Jan 11 – Jan 25 |
| Camp Verde | 8b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Casa Grande | 9a | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Chandler | 9b | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Chino Valley | 8a | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Coolidge | 9a | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Cottonwood | 8b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Douglas | 8a | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| El Mirage | 9b | Nov 25 – Dec 9 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Eloy | 9a | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Flagstaff | 6a | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 |
| Florence | 9a | Dec 5 – Dec 19 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Fountain Hills | 9b | Nov 11 – Nov 25 | Jan 13 – Jan 27 |
| Gilbert | 9b | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Glendale | 9b | Nov 25 – Dec 9 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Goodyear | 9b | Nov 19 – Dec 3 | Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Kingman | 9a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Lake Havasu City | 10a | Nov 10 – Nov 24 | Jan 12 – Jan 26 |
| Marana | 9b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Maricopa | 9a | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Mesa | 9b | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Nogales | 8b | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Oro Valley | 9a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Paradise Valley | 10a | Nov 11 – Nov 25 | Jan 13 – Jan 27 |
| Payson | 8b | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Peoria | 9b | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Phoenix | 9b | Nov 13 – Nov 27 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Prescott | 7b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Prescott Valley | 7b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Queen Creek | 9b | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Sahuarita | 9a | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Scottsdale | 10a | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Show Low | 7a | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Sierra Vista | 8b | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Surprise | 9b | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Tempe | 10a | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Tucson | 9b | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
Parts of Arizona rarely see frost (for example Yuma, San Luis, Somerton). There, planting is timed by heat rather than frost, usually in the cooler months; look up your ZIP code for details.
See all frost dates in Arizona, or the general guide to when to plant tomatoes.
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