Local planting guide · Southwest
zip 85380
Peoria is in USDA hardiness zone 9b, with average winter lows of 25°F to 30°F. The local growing season runs roughly 01/08 through 12/25 (~354 days). This zip falls within the Southwest growing region.
- USDA zone
- 9b 25°F to 30°F
- Last spring frost
- 01/08
- First fall frost
- 12/25
- Growing season
- 354 days
- Compatible crops
- 37
- Growing region
- Southwest
Right now in Peoria
Week 18 priorities
On the docket: transplant out after last frost · direct sow after last frost. See the full calendar →
Gardening in Peoria
Peoria's distinguishing feature is not frost but year-round warmth. With a 354-day growing season and minimum winter temperatures in the 25–30°F range, frost risk is minimal after January 8 and returns only in late December. This allows subtropical crops like figs, pomegranates, and Asian persimmons to thrive without winter protection. However, the trade-off is summer heat: May through September regularly exceed 110°F in the Phoenix metro area, which creates a distinct growing rhythm. The true constraint in Peoria is not cold but extreme heat and water scarcity. Spring (February–April) and fall (September–November) are the prime growing windows for warm-season vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. Many gardeners treat summer as a maintenance-only period, focusing on established perennials while cool-season crops are impossible. This inverted seasonal pattern from more temperate zones requires rethinking which crops to plant and when.
Regional context · Southwest
What the Southwest brings to Peoria
Hot, arid, irrigated. Two growing seasons in the low desert: cool October to April, hot May to September. Date palms and citrus thrive at low elevation; apples and stone fruit at higher elevations. The chile-pepper belt of the country.
Common challenges
Issues that most often defeat home gardeners in zone 9b, drawn from the broader USDA zone profile.
- ▸ Heat stress in summer
- ▸ Insufficient chill for most apples
- ▸ Salt spray near coasts
What defeats new gardeners in Peoria
Heat damage and premature bolting are the dominant issue, not frost. Tomatoes, peppers, and many leafy vegetables reach their limit in mid-May when afternoon highs approach 100°F; blossoms drop, fruit skin sunscalds, and greens bolt to seed within days. Water stress compounds this. Arizona's semi-arid climate and increasing regional water restrictions mean drip irrigation is non-negotiable; surface watering simply cannot keep up with the heat. Soil alkalinity (pH often 8.0 or higher in Phoenix-area soils) is the third major constraint, limiting nutrient availability and excluding acid-loving plants like blueberries without substantial soil amendment.
Crops that grow in Peoria
37 crops from our catalog match zone 9b, grouped by type.
Tree fruit
11 crops
zone 9b Fig
Ficus carica
zones 7a–10b
zone 9b Asian Persimmon
Diospyros kaki
zones 7a–10a
zone 9b Pomegranate
Punica granatum
zones 7b–10a
zone 9b Jujube
Ziziphus jujuba
zones 6a–9b
zone 9b Lemon
Citrus limon
zones 9a–11b
zone 9b Orange
Citrus sinensis
zones 9a–11b
zone 9b Lime
Citrus aurantiifolia
zones 9b–11b
zone 9b Grapefruit
Citrus paradisi
zones 9a–11b
Berries
2 crops
Vegetables
18 crops
zone 9b Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
zones 3a–10b
zone 9b Sweet Pepper
Capsicum annuum
zones 4a–10b
zone 9b Hot Pepper
Capsicum species
zones 4a–10b
zone 9b Eggplant
Solanum melongena
zones 5a–10b
zone 9b Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
zones 3a–9b
zone 9b Kale
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
zones 3a–9b
zone 9b Collards
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
zones 4a–9b
zone 9b Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
zones 3b–10a
Herbs
6 crops
Plan the year
Planting calendar for Peoria
Year-view of seed starting, transplanting, planting, pruning, fertilizing, harvest, and pest-watch windows tuned to Peoria's local frost dates.
Week ? · loading
This week in Peoria, AZ (zone 9b)
Quiet week in Peoria, AZ (zone 9b). this week is a good time to step back and plan ahead.
Nothing critical on the calendar this week.
187 bars · 37 crops
Calendar logic combines NOAA frost normals with crop-specific timing data. Local microclimate and weather always overrules the calendar; use this as a starting point.
Top pests for zone 9b
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for IPM controls and signs to watch for.
Multiple species (Aphididae)
Small soft-bodied sap-sucking insects that reproduce explosively in spring. Excrete honeydew that supports sooty mold and attracts ants. Transmit viral diseases.
Multiple species (Aleyrodidae)
Tiny white moth-like flying insects that feed on plant sap and excrete honeydew. Transmit numerous viral diseases including tomato yellow leaf curl virus.
Meloidogyne species
Microscopic soil-dwelling worm that forms galls on roots, reducing vigor and yield.
Tetranychus urticae
Tiny mite that feeds on leaf undersides, causing stippling and webbing during hot dry weather.
Multiple species (Chrysomelidae)
Tiny black or bronze jumping beetles that put hundreds of small holes in seedling leaves. Most damaging on direct-seeded brassicas and young eggplant.
Odocoileus species
Whitetail and mule deer browse can devastate orchards and gardens, particularly in winter when food is scarce. Antler rub on young trunks kills saplings outright.
Pseudococcidae spp.
Soft white waxy insects that cluster at leaf joints, fruit stems, and root crowns. Honeydew secretion supports sooty mold; root mealybugs cause decline that mimics drought.
Coccoidea spp.
Sap-sucking insects that attach to bark, leaves, and fruit, secreting honeydew that fuels sooty mold. Heavy infestations weaken trees and cause leaf yellowing.
Top diseases for zone 9b
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for symptoms, controls, and resistant varieties.
Pseudoperonospora cubensis (cucurbits) and others
Water mold (oomycete, not a true fungus) that thrives in cool damp conditions. Spreads rapidly through cucurbit and brassica plantings on wind-borne spores.
Cucumber mosaic virus, Tobacco mosaic virus, and others
Family of plant viruses producing mottled yellow-and-green leaf patterns. Vectored primarily by aphids; some are seed-transmitted or spread by handling tools and tobacco products.
Pythium and Rhizoctonia species
Soil-borne complex of water molds and fungi that kill seedlings before or shortly after emergence. The single most common cause of seed-starting failures.
Fusarium oxysporum
Soil-borne fungal disease that plugs vascular tissue and kills affected plants. Persists in soil for many years; impossible to eliminate once established.
Sclerotium rolfsii
Soil-borne fungal disease most damaging in warm humid Southern conditions. White mycelial fans and small mustard-seed-sized sclerotia at the soil line are diagnostic.
Calcium deficiency physiological disorder
Not a true disease but a calcium-uptake disorder caused by inconsistent soil moisture during fruit development. The dominant cause of damaged first-fruit on home tomato plantings.
Capnodium spp.
Black fungal coating that grows on honeydew secreted by aphids, scale, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Doesn't infect plant tissue directly but blocks photosynthesis and disfigures fruit.
Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV)
Virus vectored by thrips, particularly western flower thrips. Wide host range and growing global distribution. No cure once infected.
Companion planting suggestions
Beneficial pairings drawn from companion data, filtered to crops that grow in zone 9b.
- Fig + Rosemary
Rosemary tolerates the dry sites figs prefer and provides aromatic pest deterrence.
- Tomato + Basil
The classic Italian pairing. Basil's volatile oils are reported to repel hornworms and whiteflies, and the two crops share the same warm-season schedule and water needs. Plant basil between tomato cages.
- Sweet Pepper + Basil
Same warm-season culture, same watering schedule. Basil reportedly improves pepper flavor and repels aphids and thrips that are pepper's primary pests.
- Hot Pepper + Basil
Compatible heat-loving culture, similar water needs. Basil interplanted between hot pepper plants supports beneficial insects and reduces aphid pressure.
- Lettuce + Tomato
Lettuce planted at tomato's base benefits from afternoon shade as the tomato grows, extending the lettuce harvest into early summer. Different root depths avoid competition.
- Cabbage + Onion
Onion smell confuses cabbage moth. Both prefer similar moisture and fertility. The onion-cabbage interplanting is a Northern European tradition.
Soil types reference
Soil texture and pH decide what grows easily on your specific lot. Find the closest match below for crop recommendations and amendment guidance.
Practical tips for Peoria
Plan two distinct growing seasons around the summer heat spike. Plant warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) in early spring (February–March) for a harvest before May heat peaks, and again in late summer (August–September) for a fall–winter crop. Pomegranates, figs, goji berries, Asian persimmons, and jujubes are reliable perennials that thrive with minimal winter frost risk and tolerate Peoria's extreme summer temperatures. Install drip irrigation to handle water scarcity and summer heat stress. Consider afternoon shade cloth (30–50% density) starting in May if attempting summer vegetable production; otherwise, treat summer as a dormant maintenance season and focus on established fruit trees and hardy shrubs.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the best time to plant tomatoes in Peoria?
Plant in early February for a spring harvest before May heat (best yields) or late August for a fall crop that extends through winter. Avoid planting in May–July; summer heat causes blossom drop and sunscald.
- What grows reliably year-round in Peoria?
Subtropical fruits thrive with minimal frost risk: figs, pomegranates, Asian persimmons, jujubes, and goji berries all survive Peoria's mild winters. These are the signature crops for zone 9b Phoenix-area gardening.
- Do I really need drip irrigation here?
Yes. Peoria's semi-arid climate and summer temperatures above 110°F make hand or overhead watering unreliable. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to roots with minimal evaporation loss and enables efficient use under water restrictions.
- Why do my peppers and tomatoes stop producing in June?
Heat stress causes blossoms to drop and pollen to become sterile above 95°F. Peoria regularly exceeds this in June and holds it through September. Early spring planting (February–March) ensures production before peak heat; fall planting (August–September) captures the second season.
- How different is Peoria's growing season from the rest of zone 9b?
Peoria's 354-day season is at the extreme warm end of zone 9b. Most of zone 9b has shorter seasons; Peoria's low winter minimums (25–30°F) allow frost-tender perennials to establish, but the corresponding summer heat is harsher than many other parts of the zone.
- What about my soil pH? Can I grow everything here?
Phoenix-area soils are often alkaline (pH 8.0+), which locks up iron, manganese, and zinc. Acid-loving plants like blueberries struggle without significant amendment. Most vegetable and fruit crops tolerate pH 7.0–8.0 with micronutrient supplementation.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00003184. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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