Buckeye, AZ planting zone & frost dates
Buckeye is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around January 7 and the first fall frost around December 24, for a growing season of about 351 days.
Planting calendar for Buckeye
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (January 7) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Nov 12 – Nov 26 Transplant outdoors: Jan 14 – Jan 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Oct 29 – Nov 12 Transplant outdoors: Jan 21 – Jan 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Oct 29 – Nov 12 Transplant outdoors: Jan 21 – Jan 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Oct 29 – Nov 12 Transplant outdoors: Dec 10 – Dec 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Oct 29 – Nov 12 Transplant outdoors: Dec 10 – Dec 24 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Dec 10 – Dec 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Nov 26 – Dec 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Nov 26 – Dec 10 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Dec 10 – Dec 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Dec 10 – Dec 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Dec 10 – Dec 24 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Jan 14 – Jan 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Jan 14 – Jan 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Jan 14 – Jan 21 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Jan 14 – Jan 21 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Nov 26 – Dec 10 Transplant outdoors: Jan 14 – Jan 21 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 29 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 24).
Useful for zone 9b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Dec 17 | Jan 7 | Feb 5 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 16 | Dec 24 | Dec 6 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after February 5, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before December 6. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 5.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Buckeye
- 85326 zone 9b
- 85396 zone 9b
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is Buckeye, AZ?
Buckeye is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Buckeye?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Buckeye is January 7. There is still a 10% chance of frost until February 5.
When can I plant tomatoes in Buckeye?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Jan 14 – Jan 21. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Litchfield Park, AZ (USC00024977), 25.0 km (15.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 317 m, based on 22 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.