Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Buckeye, AZ

Buckeye, AZ is in USDA zone 9b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is January 23 and the first fall frost December 11.

Buckeye on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostJan 23

First frostDec 11

Growing season323 days

9b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Buckeye, AZ…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Buckeye, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostJanuary 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsFebruary 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 11median — 10% chance by Nov 24

Growing season323 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 5 and returns around December 25.

From the NOAA station Gila Bend 2se, AZ, elevation 794 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Buckeye

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 12 – Dec 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 12 – Jan 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 14 – Nov 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 2 – Jan 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Nov 28 – Dec 12

TomatoesTransplant · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 14 – Nov 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 6 – Feb 20

BeansSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 16 – Oct 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 27 – Jan 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 23) and first fall frost (Dec 11) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 85396 came on Jan 21 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

average
Jan 262026
Jan 21

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 9b in Arizona

499 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arizona, and rated by the USDA to survive 25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Buckeye, AZ.

Soil in Buckeye, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85396 is Rillito — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rillito gravelly loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 85396; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Buckeye, AZ

Summer high105 °Faverage high, July

Winter low39 °Faverage low, January

Hot days157days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights13nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,546base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 22 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 56 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation8.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Wittmann 1se, AZ (20 mi away); precipitation: Litchfield Park 6.5 Wnw, AZ (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Buckeye

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about Buckeye

What planting zone is Buckeye, AZ?

Buckeye, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map (9b: 25 to 30 °F).

When is the last frost in Buckeye, AZ?

The median last spring frost is January 23 and the median first fall frost is December 11 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gila Bend 2se station).

When can I plant a garden in Buckeye, AZ?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Dec 12 – Jan 2; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Jan 30, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Buckeye, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Buckeye, AZ get?

About 8.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).