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

Planting zone for 85142 — Queen Creek, AZ

ZIP code 85142 (Queen Creek, Maricopa County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 1 and the first fall frost December 11.

Where ZIP 85142 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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
Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C
Last frostFeb 1
First frostDec 11
2012 zone9b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Queen 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 Queen Creek, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsFebruary 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 11median — 10% chance by Nov 23
Growing season315 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 8 and returns around December 26.

From the NOAA station Chandler Heights, AZ — within 1 mile, elevation 1,424 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 85142

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 21 – Jan 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 23 – Dec 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 11 – Jan 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 7 – Dec 21
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 23 – Dec 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 15 – Mar 1
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
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 (Feb 1) 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 85142 came on Jan 22 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25).

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).

Soil in Queen Creek, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85142 is Antho — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Antho gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 3 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 85142; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Queen Creek, AZ

Summer high104 °Faverage high, July
Winter low39 °Faverage low, December
Hot days165days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights11nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days7,921base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 21 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 57 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation9.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 66 °F, low 41 °F 66°41° JanFebruary: average high 70 °F, low 43 °F 70°43° FebMarch: average high 77 °F, low 48 °F 77°48° MarApril: average high 85 °F, low 53 °F 85°53° AprMay: average high 93 °F, low 62 °F 93°62° MayJune: average high 103 °F, low 71 °F 103°71° JunJuly: average high 104 °F, low 79 °F 104°79° JulAugust: average high 103 °F, low 78 °F 103°78° AugSeptember: average high 98 °F, low 72 °F 98°72° SepOctober: average high 87 °F, low 59 °F 87°59° OctNovember: average high 74 °F, low 47 °F 74°47° NovDecember: average high 64 °F, low 39 °F 64°39° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 1.16 in precipitation 1.2 JanFebruary: 1.11 in precipitation 1.1 FebMarch: 1.00 in precipitation 1.0 MarApril: 0.29 in precipitation 0.3 AprMay: 0.18 in precipitation 0.2 MayJune: 0.10 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 1.12 in precipitation 1.1 JulAugust: 1.59 in precipitation 1.6 AugSeptember: 0.75 in precipitation 0.8 SepOctober: 0.63 in precipitation 0.6 OctNovember: 0.65 in precipitation 0.7 NovDecember: 0.99 in precipitation 1.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chandler Heights, AZ (within 1 mile); precipitation: Gilbert 9.1 Sse, AZ (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

851279b
Chandler Heights, AZ · 2 mi
852989b
Gilbert, AZ · 5 mi
852979b
Gilbert, AZ · 7 mi
851479a
Sacaton, AZ · 7 mi
852499b
Chandler, AZ · 8 mi
852959b
Gilbert, AZ · 9 mi
851439b
San Tan Valley, AZ · 9 mi
852129b
Mesa, AZ · 9 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 85142

What planting zone is ZIP code 85142?

ZIP code 85142 (Queen Creek, AZ) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Queen Creek, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85142 is February 1; after February 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chandler Heights station.

When is the first frost in Queen Creek, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85142 is December 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 315 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85142?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 7 – Dec 21 and set transplants outside around Feb 8 – Feb 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85142 get?

About 9.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gilbert 9.1 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Queen Creek, AZ?

The average high peaks at 104 °F in July, with about 165 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85142 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Antho at the center of ZIP 85142: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Queen Creek, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85142 came on Jan 22 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Queen Creek, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 85142 is 14 h 21 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.