Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for Quartzsite, AZ

Quartzsite, AZ is in USDA zones 9a to 9b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is January 28 and the first fall frost December 6.

Quartzsite on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 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.

Zones9a–9b20 to 30 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostJan 28

First frostDec 6

Growing season315 days

9a 1 ZIP 9b 1 ZIP

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Quartzsite, 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 Quartzsite, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJanuary 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsFebruary 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 6median — 10% chance by Nov 22

Growing season315 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 7 and returns around December 21.

From the NOAA station Quartzsite, AZ, elevation 876 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 Quartzsite

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 17 – Dec 31

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 17 – Jan 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 19 – Dec 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 3 – Dec 17

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 19 – Dec 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 11 – Feb 25

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

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 (Jan 28) 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 85359 came on Jan 20 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25).

average
Jan 252026
Jan 20

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 Quartzsite, AZ.

Soil in Quartzsite, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85359 is Gunsight — gravelly loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH8.4alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.3%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gunsight-Cristobal complex, dry, 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 85359; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Quartzsite, AZ

Summer high109 °Faverage high, July

Winter low39 °Faverage low, December

Hot days176days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights12nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days8,760base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 23 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 55 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation4.6 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: Quartzsite, AZ (within 1 mile); precipitation: Quartzsite, AZ (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Quartzsite

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about Quartzsite

What planting zone is Quartzsite, AZ?

Quartzsite, AZ is in USDA hardiness zones 9a to 9b on the 2023 map (9a: 20 to 25 °F; 9b: 25 to 30 °F).

When is the last frost in Quartzsite, AZ?

The median last spring frost is January 28 and the median first fall frost is December 6 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Quartzsite station).

When can I plant a garden in Quartzsite, AZ?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Dec 17 – Jan 7; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Feb 4, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Quartzsite, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 23 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Quartzsite, AZ get?

About 4.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).