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

Planting zone for Marana, AZ

Marana, AZ is in USDA zone 9b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is February 23 and the first fall frost December 6.

Marana on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 ZIP code areas · 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostFeb 23

First frostDec 6

Growing season287 days

9b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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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 Marana, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 6median — 10% chance by Nov 18

Growing season287 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 22 and returns around December 19.

From the NOAA station Tucson 17 Nw, AZ, elevation 2,562 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 Marana

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Feb 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 15 – Dec 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 2 – Feb 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 15 – Dec 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 11 – Oct 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 22 – Dec 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 23) and first fall frost (Dec 6) 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 85658 came on Jan 23 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25).

average
Jan 252026
Jan 23

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 9b in Arizona

499 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arizona, and rated by the USDA to survive 25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9b. 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 Marana, AZ.

Soil in Marana, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85658 is Bucklebar — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.9neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bucklebar-Hayhook complex, 1 to 10 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 85658; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Marana, AZ

Summer high101 °Faverage high, June

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days157days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights67nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,057base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 17 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 01 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation11.2 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: Catalina Sp, AZ (15 mi away); precipitation: Tucson 15.5 Nw, AZ (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Marana

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about Marana

What planting zone is Marana, AZ?

Marana, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map (9b: 25 to 30 °F).

When is the last frost in Marana, AZ?

The median last spring frost is February 23 and the median first fall frost is December 6 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tucson 17 Nw station).

When can I plant a garden in Marana, AZ?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 12 – Feb 2; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 2, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Marana, AZ?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 17 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Marana, AZ get?

About 11.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).