When to plant in Sun City, AZ
USDA Zone 9bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Sun City, Arizona — all computed from Sun City's nearest NOAA weather station.
A generous ~329-day season lets Sun City gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. In zone 9b, frost is a minor factor for Sun City — most perennials thrive, and annual vegetables can go out early and stay late.
The average last spring frost in Sun City is now 7 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
YOUNGTOWN · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Sun City’s own odds, recorded at YOUNGTOWN.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 4 | Feb 14 | Jan 21 | Nov 17 | Dec 2 | Dec 18 |
| 32°F | Feb 18 | Jan 20 | Dec 23 | Nov 28 | Dec 15 | Jan 7 |
| 28°F | Feb 1 | Jan 3 | Dec 13 | Dec 10 | Dec 29 | Jan 22 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Nothing new to sow or transplant outdoors in the next few weeks — a seasonal lull. Check the full-year calendar below for the next window.
Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Sun City, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 20 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Sun City planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Sun City, AZ?
On average, the last spring frost in Sun City is around January 20 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Sun City, AZ?
The first fall frost in Sun City typically arrives around December 15 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Sun City in?
Sun City is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. In zone 9b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Sun City?
Sun City has about 329 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (January 20) and first fall frost (December 15).
When should I plant tomatoes in Sun City?
For Sun City, sow tomatoes indoors about November 25–December 9 and move the seedlings out around January 27, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Sun City
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Sun City’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- El Mirage · 5 km
- Sun City West · 9 km
- Glendale · 13 km
- Surprise · 17 km
- Phoenix · 19 km
- Peoria · 19 km
- Anthem · 29 km
- Paradise Valley · 31 km
Frost dates recorded at YOUNGTOWN, 3 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Sun City, AZ — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00029634. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/arizona/sun-city.