📍 Tucson, AZ · Zone 9b · Last frost Tuesday, February 10, 2026
✏️ ChangeWhen to Plant Heirloom Tomato in Tucson, Arizona (85708)
Location
Tucson, Arizona
ZIP Code
85708
USDA Zone
9b
Last Frost
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates
Start Seeds Indoors
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Transplant Outdoors
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Based on last frost Tuesday, February 10, 2026 · Zone 9b
Pro tip: Start Heirloom Tomato seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
🌿 Plant Details
☀️ Growing Requirements
☀️
Sun
Full Sun (6-8 hours)
💧
Water
Regular (1-2 inches/week)
↔️
Spacing
30" apart
🌱
Planting Depth
0.25" deep
Seeds typically germinate in 5-10 days
Ready to Plant Heirloom Tomato in Tucson?
Get your seeds now so they're ready by Tuesday, December 30, 2025.
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🤝 Good Companions
⚠️ Avoid Planting Near
Full Companion Planting Guide for Heirloom Tomato
See which plants help Heirloom Tomato thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →
🛠️ Supplies You'll Need
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Common Heirloom Tomato Varieties
Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.
Brandywine
Large, pinkish-red heirloom prized for its complex, rich flavor — a benchmark for taste.
Cherokee Purple
Deep mahogany-purple with a smoky-sweet flavor profile and striking appearance.
Green Zebra
Striped green-yellow tomato with tangy, bright flavor — stays green when ripe.
Mortgage Lifter
Massive 2+ lb fruits bred by a backyard gardener in the 1930s; famously mild and sweet.
Aunt Ruby's German Green
Large green-when-ripe beefsteak with a complex, spicy-fruity flavor.
🌾 Seed Saving Guide
🟢 EasyWhen to Harvest Seed
Let fruit ripen fully and slightly past peak on the vine before scooping seeds.
Processing
Scoop seeds into water, ferment 2–3 days, rinse well, dry flat on a non-stick surface for 1 week.
Seed Viability
Up to 4 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.
Pro Tip
Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated and grow true from seed. Separate varieties by 25 feet to prevent crossing.
Raised Bed Planting Guides
A 4×8 bed fits 5 plants of Heirloom Tomato. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Heirloom Tomato in Tucson, Arizona? +
In Tucson (Zone 9b), start Heirloom Tomato seeds indoors around Tuesday, December 30, 2025 and transplant outdoors around Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
What is the last frost date for Tucson, Arizona? +
The average last spring frost date for Tucson, Arizona (ZIP 85708) is around Tuesday, February 10, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 9b.
How long does Heirloom Tomato take to grow? +
Heirloom Tomato typically matures in about 80 days from transplanting. In Tucson, that means you can expect harvest around Tuesday, February 24, 2026 plus 80 days.
Should I start Heirloom Tomato indoors or direct sow in Arizona? +
Heirloom Tomato should be started indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. In Tucson, that means starting around Tuesday, December 30, 2025.
📚 More Heirloom Tomato Planting Guides
Other Plants for Tucson
Growing Heirloom Tomato in Zone 9b
Heirloom Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Tucson, Arizona, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b, you should start seeds indoors around Tuesday, December 30, 2025.
Your average last frost date is Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Plan to transplant your Heirloom Tomato seedlings outdoors around Tuesday, February 24, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.