Planting calendar for Tucson, Arizona

Dates from 30 years of records at the Tucson WFO weather station, 1.7 miles from Tucson, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Tucson at a glance

Weather station: Tucson WFO · 1.7 mi
USDA zone: 9b
Frost: Brief: typically Dec 17–Jan 20; 1 year in 10 Nov 28–Feb 18
Hottest month: June: highs 100°F, nights 73°F
Coldest month: December: highs 65°F, nights 42°F
Rain: 12 in. a year, most in July, August and September

What shapes the seasons here

Frost is brief in Tucson: the frosty spell typically runs only from about Dec 17 to Jan 20, and 1 year in 10 it stretches from Nov 28 to Feb 18. Tender crops can go in most of the year; summer heat, not frost, is the main limit.

Summer nights average 77°F in July. Above about 75°F, tomatoes and peppers stop setting fruit, so the best tomato planting here is Mar 6–15, Aug 26–Sep 9, timed so plants fruit before or after the hottest weeks.

Tucson gets about 12 inches of rain a year, most of it in July, August and September. Plan on regular watering: most months get less than 1 inch.

162 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 12 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Tucson, month by month

January68

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Spinach, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Blackberry, Fig, Grape (bunch)

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Pansy / viola, Statice, Stock, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Brussels sprouts, Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Fava bean, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Black-eyed Susan, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Marjoram, Ground cherry, Annual salvia, Milkweed (native)

February30

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bok choy / pak choi, Celery, Garden cress, Radish, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Tomato (early / short-season), Watercress

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bay laurel, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Chives, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Blackberry

Flowers: Black-eyed Susan, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Strawflower

Can also plant

Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Lemon balm, Lemon verbena, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden), Fig, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Pansy / viola, Statice, Stock, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Cucamelon / mouse melon, Annual salvia, Marigold

March25

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing)

Herbs: Epazote, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Shiso (perilla)

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry

Flowers: Black-eyed Susan, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium

Can also plant

Arugula, Beet, Broccoli raab (rapini), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Radish, Swiss chard, Taro (dasheen), Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Anise hyssop, Bay laurel, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Chives, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Garlic chives, Lavender, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory, Fig, Annual salvia, Calendula, Cleome (spider flower), Marigold, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Malabar spinach, Celosia

April25

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Cassava (yuca), Chaya (tree spinach), Eggplant, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Purslane, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Taro (dasheen), Winged bean, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Papalo, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Celosia, Marigold

Can also plant

Armenian cucumber, Garden cress, Ginger, Jicama, New Zealand spinach, Pigeon pea, Radish, Roselle, Sweet corn, Sweet potato, Epazote, Lemongrass, Shiso (perilla), Cucamelon / mouse melon, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Ginger, Roselle, Sweet potato, Globe amaranth (gomphrena)

May10

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Cassava (yuca), Chaya (tree spinach), Ginger, Jicama, Peanut, Pigeon pea, Roselle, Winter melon / wax gourd

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Lemongrass

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Purslane, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet potato, Winged bean, Yardlong bean, Basil, Culantro, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Sweet potato, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

June10

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Cassava (yuca), Chaya (tree spinach), Ginger, Pigeon pea, Sweet potato

Herbs: Lemongrass

Flowers: Cleome (spider flower), Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Peanut, Purslane, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Yardlong bean, Basil, Culantro, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Watermelon, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cosmos, Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

July14

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Sweet potato, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winter melon / wax gourd

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Eggplant, Luffa gourd, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Peanut, Pepper (hot / chili), Purslane, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Winged bean, Yardlong bean, Basil, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Watermelon, Celosia

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Onion (bulbing), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice

August21

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (lima), Edamame, Eggplant, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Yardlong bean

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bitter melon, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Purslane, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla)

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Leek, Onion (bulbing), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Parsley, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Strawflower

September32

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Celeriac (celery root), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Eggplant, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (sweet / bell), Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing)

Herbs: Basil, Dill, Epazote

Fruit: Strawberry

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cosmos, Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice, Strawflower

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Parsnip, Salsify, Shallot, Swiss chard, Turnip, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Fenugreek (methi), Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Calendula, Coreopsis (tickseed), Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock

October35

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Beet, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Elephant garlic, Garlic, Kale, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Salsify, Shallot, Swiss chard

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Fruit: Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Nasturtium, Snapdragon, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Arugula, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Daikon radish, Fava bean, Garden cress, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Rutabaga, Spinach, Turnip, Chervil, Cilantro, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Parsley, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock

November52

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Elephant garlic, Fava bean, Garden cress, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Parsley

Fruit: Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Lettuce (romaine & head), Catnip, Lavender, Lovage, Parsley, Rosemary, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock

December50

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Fava bean, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radicchio, Radish, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Parsley

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Celeriac (celery root), Blackberry

Start seeds indoors

Lettuce (romaine & head), Tomato (early / short-season), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Lovage, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Strawflower

Every crop that grows in Tucson

162 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	Apr 1–15, Sep 29–Oct 9	Apr 16–Sep 28	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	Mar 6–20, Aug 28–Sep 17	Mar 21–Aug 27	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Jan 6–20	Jan 21–Feb 15	Nov 4–18	Set out plants
Arugula	Oct 28–Jan 30	Jan 31–Mar 28, Sep 20–Oct 27	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Dec 23–Jan 20	Jan 21–Feb 17	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	Mar 6–20, Sep 11–Oct 2	Mar 21–Apr 6, Aug 26–Sep 10	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	Aug 7–Sep 2	—	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	Mar 6–20, Sep 1–22	Mar 21–24, Aug 26–31	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Oct 23–Jan 19	Jan 20–Mar 13, Sep 17–Oct 22	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	Mar 6–20, Aug 30–Sep 20	Mar 21–Apr 3, Aug 7–29	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Jan 6–Feb 7	Feb 8–Mar 2, Oct 2–11	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	Apr 21–May 5	May 6–Aug 30	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Oct 26–Jan 10	Jan 11–Feb 25, Sep 26–Oct 25	Sep 14–Nov 29	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Oct 29–Jan 20	Jan 21–Mar 12, Sep 26–Oct 28	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Oct 21–Dec 21	Sep 26–Oct 20, Dec 22–Jan 26	Sep 9–Nov 9	Set out plants
Cabbage	Oct 22–Jan 9	Jan 10–Feb 26, Sep 20–Oct 21	Sep 10–Nov 28	Set out plants
Cardoon	Oct 8–Dec 7	Sep 17–Oct 7, Dec 8–Jan 16	Aug 6–Oct 5	Set out plants
Carrot	Oct 22–Jan 15	Jan 16–Mar 6, Sep 17–Oct 21	—	Sow seeds
Cassava (yuca)	Apr 21–Jun 16	—	—	Set out plants
Cauliflower	Dec 30–Jan 13	Jan 14–Mar 3	Nov 18–Dec 2	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Sep 19–Nov 29	Sep 6–18, Nov 30–Feb 7	Jul 4–Sep 13	Set out plants
Celery	Feb 4–18	—	Nov 19–Dec 3	Set out plants
Chaya (tree spinach)	Apr 21–Jun 16	—	—	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Dec 30–Jan 13	Jan 14–Feb 13	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Oct 21–Jan 18	Jan 19–Mar 12, Sep 14–Oct 20	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Oct 17–Jan 19	Jan 20–Mar 13, Sep 6–Oct 16	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	Mar 6–20, Sep 4–25	Mar 21–Apr 4, Aug 26–Sep 3	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	Mar 6–20, Sep 2–22	Mar 21–30, Aug 26–Sep 1	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Oct 30–Jan 10	Jan 11–Feb 24, Oct 2–29	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	Aug 7–Sep 4	—	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	Apr 1–9, Aug 18–Sep 7	Jun 29–Aug 17	Jan 28–Feb 5, Jun 16–Jul 6	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 2–Dec 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Endive & escarole	Dec 30–Jan 13	Jan 14–30	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Nov 1–Dec 14	Oct 16–31, Dec 15–Jan 10	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Jan 6–20	Jan 21–Feb 15	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Jan 6–Feb 28, Oct 26–Nov 13	Mar 1–Apr 12, Sep 27–Oct 25	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 2–Dec 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	May 19–Jun 16	Apr 21–May 18	Mar 31–Apr 28	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Dec 23–Jan 20	Jan 21–Feb 17	—	Sow seeds
Jicama	May 7–23	Apr 21–May 6	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Oct 23–Jan 19	Jan 20–Mar 13, Sep 17–Oct 22	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Oct 26–Jan 24	Jan 25–Mar 19, Sep 20–Oct 25	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Oct 23–Jan 27	Jan 28–Mar 25, Sep 14–Oct 22	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Oct 16–Dec 22	Sep 17–Oct 15, Dec 23–Jan 30	Aug 14–Oct 20	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Oct 26–Jan 24	Jan 25–Mar 20, Sep 20–Oct 25	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Oct 27–Jan 13	Jan 14–Mar 2, Sep 26–Oct 26	Sep 22–Dec 9	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	Apr 21–May 5	May 6–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Nov 5–Jan 4	Jan 5–Feb 12, Oct 14–Nov 4	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	Apr 21–May 5	May 6–Jun 16	Mar 3–17	Set out plants
Moringa	Apr 21–May 5	May 6–Jun 16	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Oct 30–Jan 24	Jan 25–Mar 17, Sep 26–Oct 29	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Oct 19–Dec 9, Dec 22–Jan 22	Jan 23–Mar 5, Sep 20–Oct 18, Dec 10–21	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	Mar 6–20, Sep 4–24	Mar 21–Apr 15, Jul 7–Sep 3	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	Apr 21–May 5	May 6–Jun 16	—	Set out plants
Okra	Apr 21–May 5, Sep 2–9	May 6–Sep 1	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Sep 16–Dec 16	—	Jul 1–Sep 30	Set out plants
Parsnip	Oct 15–Dec 20	Sep 17–Oct 14, Dec 21–Jan 27	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Oct 27–Jan 13	Jan 14–Mar 2, Sep 26–Oct 26	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Oct 27–Jan 12	Jan 13–Feb 28, Sep 26–Oct 26	—	Sow seeds
Peanut	May 5–19	May 20–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	Mar 17–31, Aug 10–31	Apr 1–3, Jun 22–Aug 9	Jan 13–27, Jun 8–29	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	Mar 6–20, Aug 20–Sep 10	Mar 21–27, Aug 7–19	Jan 2–16, Jun 18–Jul 9	Set out plants
Pigeon pea	May 11–Jun 14	Apr 21–May 10, Jun 15–29	—	Sow seeds
Popcorn	Mar 6–13	Mar 14–24	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Dec 30–Feb 1	Feb 2–28, Dec 23–29	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	Apr 1–15, Sep 10–30	Apr 16–Sep 9	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Dec 23–Jan 14	Jan 15–Feb 6	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Nov 3–Feb 9	Feb 10–Apr 10, Sep 25–Nov 2	—	Sow seeds
Roselle	May 12–Jun 4	Apr 21–May 11, Jun 5–7	Apr 7–30	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Oct 27–Dec 17	Oct 8–26, Dec 18–Jan 18	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Oct 12–Dec 9	Sep 17–Oct 11, Dec 10–Jan 12	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 14–Aug 3	May 6–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Oct 14–Jan 6	Jan 7–Feb 22, Sep 6–Oct 13	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	Apr 21–May 5, Aug 15–30	May 6–Aug 14	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Nov 1–Jan 17	Jan 18–Mar 6, Oct 2–31	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	Mar 6–20, Sep 7–27	Mar 21–Apr 2, Aug 26–Sep 6	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Jan 20–Feb 10	Dec 30–Jan 19	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	Mar 6–13, Aug 20–Sep 9	Mar 14–Apr 11, Jul 5–Aug 19	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	May 31–Jul 23	Apr 21–May 30, Jul 24–Aug 6	Apr 12–Jun 4	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Oct 13–Dec 11, Dec 19–Feb 6	Feb 7–Apr 1, Aug 26–Oct 12, Dec 12–18	—	Sow seeds
Taro (dasheen)	Mar 26–Apr 15	Mar 6–25	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	Mar 6–20	—	Jan 23–Feb 6	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	Mar 6–20, Sep 4–24	Mar 21–Apr 2, Aug 7–Sep 3	Jan 16–30, Jul 17–Aug 6	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Feb 4–11, Sep 9–29	Feb 12–Apr 6, Aug 7–Sep 8	Jul 22–Aug 11, Dec 17–24	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	Jul 3–17, Aug 22–Sep 11	Jul 18–Aug 21	May 15–29, Jul 4–24	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	Mar 6–20, Aug 26–Sep 12	—	Jan 16–30, Jul 8–25	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	Mar 6–15, Aug 26–Sep 9	—	Jan 16–25, Jul 8–22	Set out plants
Turnip	Oct 26–Jan 24	Jan 25–Mar 19, Sep 20–Oct 25	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Jan 11–Feb 8	Feb 9–24, Dec 30–Jan 10	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	Apr 21–May 5	May 6–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	May 19–Jun 2, Jul 16–Aug 6	Jun 3–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	Apr 21–May 5, Aug 20–30	May 6–Aug 19	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Jan 20–Feb 17	Feb 18–Mar 17	Dec 6–Jan 3	Set out plants
Basil	Apr 1–8, Sep 2–22	Apr 9–Sep 1	Feb 25–Mar 4, Jul 29–Aug 18	Set out plants
Bay laurel	Feb 2–26	Jan 27–Feb 1, Feb 27–Mar 17	—	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Jan 20–Feb 14	Feb 15–Mar 12	Dec 2–27	Set out plants
Borage	Jan 13–Feb 25	Feb 26–Mar 25, Sep 6–Oct 9	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Oct 20–Jan 7	Jan 8–Feb 22, Sep 17–Oct 19	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Jan 6–27	Jan 28–Feb 17	Nov 18–Dec 9	Set out plants
Chamomile	Oct 22–Jan 15	Jan 16–Mar 6, Sep 17–Oct 21	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Oct 31–Jan 14	Jan 15–Mar 1, Oct 2–30	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Jan 20–Feb 14	Feb 15–Mar 11	Dec 2–27	Set out plants
Cilantro	Oct 27–Jan 15	Jan 16–Mar 5, Sep 26–Oct 26	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Apr 12–May 10	Apr 1–11, May 11–27	—	Set out plants
Culantro	Apr 21–May 5	May 6–Jun 16	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Jan 6–13, Sep 23–Oct 14	Jan 14–Mar 21, Sep 17–22	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	Mar 6–20, Sep 16–Oct 7	Mar 21–Sep 15	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Jan 20–Feb 28, Oct 11–26	Mar 1–31, Sep 17–Oct 10	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Jan 13–Feb 7	Feb 8–Mar 5	Nov 25–Dec 20	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Jan 20–Feb 17	Feb 18–Mar 17	Dec 2–30	Set out plants
Lavender	Jan 27–Feb 18	Feb 19–Mar 13	Nov 11–Dec 3	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Jan 13–Feb 3	Jan 6–12, Feb 4–17	Dec 9–30	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	Mar 1–25	Feb 4–28	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	May 19–Jun 16	Apr 21–May 18	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Jan 6–27	Jan 28–Feb 17	Nov 18–Dec 9	Set out plants
Marjoram	Feb 18–Mar 12	Feb 4–17, Mar 13–20	Dec 31–Jan 22	Set out plants
Mint	Jan 7–28	Jan 6, Jan 29–Feb 17	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Jan 20–Feb 17	Feb 18–Mar 17	Dec 2–30	Set out plants
Papalo	Apr 1–15	Apr 16–Sep 12	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Oct 16–Jan 14	Jan 15–Mar 5, Sep 6–Oct 15	Aug 14–Nov 12	Set out plants
Rosemary	Feb 2–26	Jan 27–Feb 1, Feb 27–Mar 17	Nov 17–Dec 11	Set out plants
Sage	Jan 13–Feb 10	Feb 11–Mar 10	Nov 25–Dec 23	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	Mar 6–13	Mar 14–Sep 19	Jan 30–Feb 6	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Dec 30–Jan 27	Jan 28–Feb 24	—	Sow seeds
Summer savory	Feb 4–18	Feb 19–Mar 24	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Jan 20–Feb 13	Feb 14–Mar 10	—	Set out plants
Thyme	Jan 20–Feb 15	Feb 16–Mar 13	Nov 25–Dec 21	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	Mar 27–Apr 24	Mar 6–26, Apr 25–May 1	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Jan 20–Feb 17	Feb 18–Mar 17	Dec 2–30	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Jan 16–Feb 16	Feb 17, Dec 16–Jan 15	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	Jun 28–Jul 12, Aug 8–28	Jul 13–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Mar 6–20	Mar 21–Apr 13	Jan 30–Feb 13	Set out plants
Fig	Dec 30–Jan 27	Jan 28–Mar 10	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Jan 13–Feb 3	Dec 23–Jan 12	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Mar 6–20	Mar 21–27	Jan 16–30	Set out plants
Strawberry	Sep 21–Dec 1	—	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	Apr 1–15, Aug 5–26	Apr 16–17, Jun 6–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Mar 30–Apr 26, Jul 14–Oct 1	Mar 6–29, Apr 27–Jul 13, Oct 2–7	Jan 19–Feb 15, May 5–Jul 23	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Oct 25–Jan 7	Jan 8–Feb 21, Sep 26–Oct 24	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Feb 2–Mar 23, Jul 9–Sep 9	Jan 20–Feb 1, Mar 24–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Oct 23–Jan 21	Jan 22–Mar 16, Sep 17–Oct 22	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Oct 25–Jan 7	Jan 8–Feb 21, Sep 26–Oct 24	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	Apr 21–28, Aug 10–22	Apr 29–Aug 9	Mar 3–10, Jun 22–Jul 4	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	Jun 12–Sep 5	Mar 6–Jun 11, Sep 6–7	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Oct 17–Jan 3	Jan 4–Feb 18, Sep 14–Oct 16	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 26–Sep 7	Apr 1–May 8, May 20–Jun 25, Sep 8–14	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 11–Aug 30	Apr 1–Jun 10, Aug 31–Sep 14	Apr 23–Jul 12	Set out plants
Larkspur	Oct 25–Dec 22	Oct 2–24, Dec 23–Jan 27	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Mar 27–Apr 16, Jul 19–Sep 30	Mar 6–26, Apr 17–May 15, Jun 6–Jul 18, Oct 1–2	Feb 6–26, May 31–Aug 12	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	Feb 12–Mar 12	Jan 20–Feb 11, Mar 13–17	Jan 8–Feb 5	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Feb 19–Mar 8, Sep 24–Oct 7	Feb 4–18, Mar 9–17, Sep 17–23	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Nov 4–Jan 14	Jan 15–Feb 28, Oct 8–Nov 3	Aug 19–Oct 29	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jul 5–Sep 11	Apr 21–Jul 4, Sep 12–24	May 3–Jul 10	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Jan 26–Feb 23	Jan 20–25, Feb 24–Mar 17	Nov 10–Dec 8	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Oct 25–Dec 22	Oct 2–24, Dec 23–Jan 26	Aug 23–Oct 20	Set out plants
Statice	Jan 20–Feb 3, Sep 8–29	Feb 4–Mar 17, Sep 6–7	Jul 7–28, Nov 18–Dec 2	Set out plants
Stock	Oct 30–Dec 13, Dec 16–Jan 15	Jan 16–Mar 1, Oct 2–29, Dec 14–15	Aug 28–Oct 11, Oct 14–Nov 13	Set out plants
Strawflower	Feb 4–18, Sep 16–Oct 6	Feb 19–Mar 23, Sep 6–15	Jul 29–Aug 18, Dec 17–31	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 17–Sep 2	Mar 6–Jun 16	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Oct 24–Jan 22	Jan 23–Mar 17, Sep 17–Oct 23	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Oct 26–Dec 27	Oct 2–25, Dec 28–Feb 3	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 21–Sep 6	Apr 1–Jun 20, Sep 7–17	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Tucson

These need a climate Tucson doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 42°F.
Bean (dry / shelling): The frost-free season (about 331 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Blueberry: It needs acid soil, and dry-climate soil is usually alkaline. Grow it in a large pot of acid potting mix.
Muscadine grape: It needs acid soil, and dry-climate soil is usually alkaline. Grow it in a large pot of acid potting mix.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 42°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 42°F.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 42°F.
Pumpkin: The frost-free season (about 331 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Raspberry: Needs a real winter; nights in the coldest month here average 42°F.
Rhubarb: Needs a real winter; nights in the coldest month here average 42°F.
Stevia: The frost-free season (about 331 days) is shorter than the 100 days it needs.
Winter squash: The frost-free season (about 331 days) is shorter than the 95 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Mesa, AZ 98 mi · last frost around Feb 13
Phoenix, AZ 108 mi · frost only briefly in winter
Flagstaff, AZ 210 mi · last frost around Jun 4
Yuma, AZ 218 mi · frost only briefly in winter
El Paso, TX 262 mi · last frost around Mar 2
All Arizona cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Tucson WFO station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).