When should I plant tomatoes in ZIP 85701?

In ZIP 85701, the main tomatoes target is around Feb 22, based on the representative Tucson frost station and USDA zone 9b.

When should I start tomatoes seeds indoors in 85701?

Start tomatoes seeds indoors in ZIP 85701 around Jan 4, about 42 days before the Feb 15 last-frost estimate.

Is this a guaranteed planting date?

No. GrowZone uses frost-date estimates, hardiness zones, and crop timing rules for planning. Local microclimates and current weather can shift the right date.

ZIP 85701 planting calendar

When to plant tomatoes in Tucson, AZ - Zone 9b

Q: When is the first frost in Tucson?

Tucson (ZIP 85701) has an average first fall frost around Dec 5, leaving about 293 frost-free days.

In ZIP 85701, plant tomatoes around Feb 22; this uses the Tucson frost station, USDA zone 9b, and tomatoes timing rules.

Your Tucson calendar has a 293-day estimated frost-free season. This estimate uses the representative Tucson frost station, USDA zone 9b, and tomatoes timing rules.

Source: tucson-intl frost station, USDA zone 9b, last updated 2026-06-28. Verify locally before planting high-value crops because microclimates, current weather, and yard exposure can move the safe date.

Reviewed by GrowZone Editorial. Calculated from the tucson-intl frost station and USDA zone 9b, last updated 2026-06-28.

In the Tucson area, gardeners usually wait until Feb 22 to set tomato transplants out because cold snaps near Feb 15 can still matter.

USDA zone 9b Tucson frost station University of Arizona Extension Updated 2026-06-28

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Answer first

When to start tomatoes seeds indoors in Tucson

In ZIP 85701, start tomatoes seeds indoors around Jan 4, about 42 days before the Feb 15 last-frost estimate.

Start tomatoes seeds indoors in Tucson around Jan 4, about 42 days before the Feb 15 last-frost estimate.

Seed starting schedule

Tomatoes dates for Tucson, AZ

Step	Date	How to use it
Start Indoors	January 4, 2026	Start seeds under lights or in a bright indoor seed-starting space.
Transplant Outdoors	February 22, 2026	Move hardened-off seedlings outside after the frost-risk window.

Last frost

When is the last frost in Tucson?

Tucson (ZIP 85701) has an average last spring frost around Feb 15.

First frost

When is the first frost in Tucson?

The average first fall frost is around Dec 5, giving about 293 frost-free days.

Season map

Tomatoes windows by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Start indoors

Jan 4

Transplant

Feb 22

Harvest

May 11

Frost watch

Sep 18

Reminder workflow

Every date has a next action

Start tomatoes indoorsJan 4

Last frost windowFeb 15

Transplant tomatoesFeb 22

First tomatoes harvest windowMay 11

Last tomatoes sowing targetSep 18

Signal	Value	Why it matters
Last frost estimate	February 15, 2026	Warm-season transplant risk starts falling after this window.
First frost estimate	December 5, 2026	Fall planting counts backward from this date.
Season length	293 days	Longer seasons can support succession crops.
Spacing	18-24 in	Airflow and root space affect yield.
Soil temperature	60 F+	Seeds and transplants stall in cold soil.

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Local data

Why this date changes by ZIP

Tucson frost history and USDA zone 9b shift the safe planting window. GrowZone uses a local representative station instead of one national rule.

University of Arizona Extension is the kind of local source to verify against when a crop is expensive, weather is unusual, or your yard has a cold pocket.

Crop note

Tomatoes timing notes

Harden seedlings off for a week before transplanting. Tomatoes prefers full sun, 18-24 in spacing, and soil near 60 F+.

For fall, count backward from Dec 5. A conservative last sowing target is around Sep 18.