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Variety fit — Arizona

Can I grow McIntosh apple in Arizona?

The verdict

Not recommended

  • Needs about 900 chill hours; your area averages 522 and tops out near 731.
  • Your zone 9b is warmer than this variety's range (zones 5–8); it may not receive reliable winter chilling.

Based on Arizona’s main growing area (85701): zone 9b, ~522 chill hours. Your exact site may differ — check your ZIP.

The numbers

McIntosh requirements vs. Arizona climate
McIntosh chill requirement900 chill hours
McIntosh hardinessUSDA zones 5–8
Arizona average chill (85701)522 hours (267–731 across 10 winters)
Arizona zone (85701)USDA zone 9b
USDA pomological watercolor of McIntosh apple
Malus domestica: McIntoshUSDA pomological watercolor, Deborah Griscom Passmore, 1909 · USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

Better apple choices for Arizona

These meet Arizona’s chill hours and zone comfortably:

Keep checking

Or the same verdict for another region:

Questions

Can I grow McIntosh apple in Arizona?
Probably not — Needs about 900 chill hours; your area averages 522 and tops out near 731.

Sources

  1. [1] Open-Meteo / Copernicus ERA5. Historical Weather API (hourly 2m temperature) — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] USDA / PRISM (Oregon State University). 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] Utah State University Extension. Apple Production and Variety Recommendations for the Utah Home Garden — accessed July 2026
  4. [4] Dave Wilson Nursery. Apples — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026