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

Planting zone for 86321 — Bagdad, AZ

ZIP code 86321 (Bagdad, Yavapai County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 86321 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 7

First frostNov 12

2012 zone9a

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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bagdad, 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 Bagdad, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Oct 26

Growing season217 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 13 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Bagdad, AZ — 6 miles away, elevation 3,934 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 86321

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 17 – Oct 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 29 – Dec 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Nov 12) 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 86321 came on Jan 22 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29).

average
Jan 292026
Jan 22

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 Bagdad, AZ.

Soil in Bagdad, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 86321 is Barkerville — cobbly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Barkerville cobbly sandy loam, 20 to 60 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 86321; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bagdad, AZ

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days99days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights60nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,596base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 28 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 50 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation15.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bagdad, AZ (6 mi away); precipitation: Bagdad, AZ (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

863388a

Skull Valley, AZ · 19 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 86321

What planting zone is ZIP code 86321?

ZIP code 86321 (Bagdad, 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 Bagdad, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 86321 is April 7; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bagdad station.

When is the first frost in Bagdad, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 86321 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 217 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 86321?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 86321 get?

About 15.9 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bagdad station).

How hot do summers get in Bagdad, AZ?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 99 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 86321 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Barkerville at the center of ZIP 86321: cobbly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Bagdad, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 86321 came on Jan 22 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bagdad, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 86321 is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.