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

Planting zone for Cave Creek, AZ

Cave Creek, AZ is in USDA zone 9b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is February 4 and the first fall frost December 16.

Cave Creek on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 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 frostFeb 4

First frostDec 16

Growing season313 days

9b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cave Creek, 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 Cave Creek, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 16median — 10% chance by Nov 24

Growing season313 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 14 and returns around January 1.

From the NOAA station Carefree, AZ, elevation 2,530 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 Cave Creek

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 24 – Jan 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 26 – Dec 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 10 – Dec 24

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 26 – Dec 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 18 – Mar 4

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 21 – Nov 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 2 – Jan 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 4) and first fall frost (Dec 16) 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 85331 came on Jan 21 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25).

average
Jan 252026
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 Cave Creek, AZ.

Soil in Cave Creek, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85331 is Lehmans — very gravelly clay loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lehmans-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 65 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 85331; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cave Creek, AZ

Summer high103 °Faverage high, July

Winter low41 °Faverage low, December

Hot days153days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights6nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,680base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 24 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 54 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation12.6 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: Carefree, AZ (5 mi away); precipitation: Carefree, AZ (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Cave Creek

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about Cave Creek

What planting zone is Cave Creek, AZ?

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

When is the last frost in Cave Creek, AZ?

The median last spring frost is February 4 and the median first fall frost is December 16 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carefree station).

When can I plant a garden in Cave Creek, AZ?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Dec 24 – Jan 14; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Feb 11, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Cave Creek, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 24 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Cave Creek, AZ get?

About 12.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).