Arizona low desert gardeners who love tomatoes can take advantage of two growing seasons. Tomatoes planted after the last spring frost (usually mid-February at lower elevations) can be ready for salads and pasta sauce within 60-90 days. Those who missed that optimal window can plan on the monsoon, planting around the end of July through mid-August, and covering with shade cloth to protect your plants from daytime heat until gentler autumn daytime highs. The favorite temperature of tomatoes range from 70-to-90 degrees, with nights that stay above 55. So, Rim Country climes have not quite reached those optimal temps, but weâre getting close, so now is the time to make all the best preparations.