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

Planting zone for 85324 — Black Canyon City, AZ

ZIP code 85324 (Black Canyon City, Yavapai County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost November 17.

Where ZIP 85324 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostApr 5

First frostNov 17

2012 zone9b

Was 9b on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Black Canyon City, 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 Black Canyon City, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Oct 28

Growing season221 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 7 and returns around November 28.

From the NOAA station Cordes, AZ — 15 miles away, elevation 3,770 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 85324

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 22 – Oct 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 3 – Dec 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Nov 17) 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 85324 came on Jan 27 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

average
Jan 312026
Jan 27

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 9a in Arizona

492 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arizona, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. 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 Black Canyon City, AZ.

Soil in Black Canyon City, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85324 is Ustic Haplargids — extremely gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureExtremely gravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ustic Haplargids, Ustic Torrifluvents, rarely flooded, and Ustic Haplocambids; warm thermic aridic hills and fans.

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 85324; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Black Canyon City, AZ

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July

Winter low33 °Faverage low, December

Hot days101days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights44nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,943base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 26 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation15.4 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: Cordes, AZ (15 mi away); precipitation: Mayer 8.5 Sse, AZ (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

863338b

Mayer, AZ · 14 mi

850879b

New River, AZ · 15 mi

863438a

Crown King, AZ · 17 mi

853319b

Cave Creek, AZ · 17 mi

853279b

Cave Creek, AZ · 21 mi

Scottsdale, AZ · 23 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 85324

What planting zone is ZIP code 85324?

ZIP code 85324 (Black Canyon City, AZ) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Black Canyon City, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85324 is April 5; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cordes station.

When is the first frost in Black Canyon City, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85324 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 221 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85324?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85324 get?

About 15.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mayer 8.5 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Black Canyon City, AZ?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 101 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85324 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ustic Haplargids at the center of ZIP 85324: extremely gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Black Canyon City, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85324 came on Jan 27 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Black Canyon City, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 85324 is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 85324 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 85324 in zone 9b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.