When to plant tomato in Tucson
Tomato is frost-tender, so every date keys off Tucson's last spring frost of Feb 27.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 3 – Feb 24
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 24 – Apr 14
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 23 – Jun 17
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Tucson's 278-day season leaves this much room.
Tomato on Tucson's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FROST
FROST
FEB 27
NOV 27
Common questions
When will tomato be ready to harvest in Tucson?
Expect to harvest from around late May (May 23–Jun 17) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Tucson?
Start seeds indoors around early February (Feb 3–Feb 24) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When can I transplant tomato outdoors in Tucson?
Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 24–Apr 14) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
How long is the growing season in Tucson?
Tucson has roughly 278 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow tomato to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow tomato 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after it. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Tucson's frost dates.
Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.