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

Planting zone for 85118 — Gold Canyon, AZ

ZIP code 85118 (Gold Canyon, Pinal County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 11 and the first fall frost December 10.

Where ZIP 85118 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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

Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C

Last frostFeb 11

First frostDec 10

2012 zone9b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gold Canyon, 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 Gold Canyon, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 10median — 10% chance by Nov 19

Growing season304 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 13 and returns around December 22.

From the NOAA station Apache Junction 5 Ne, AZ — 10 miles away, elevation 2,070 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 85118

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 31 – Jan 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 3 – Dec 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 17 – Dec 31

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 3 – Dec 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 25 – Mar 11

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 15 – Oct 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 26 – Dec 31

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 11) and first fall frost (Dec 10) 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 85118 came on Jan 21 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24).

average
Jan 242026
Jan 21

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 Gold Canyon, AZ.

Soil in Gold Canyon, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85118 is Cellar — very gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureVery gravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.6slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cellar-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 70 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 85118; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gold Canyon, AZ

Summer high105 °Faverage high, July

Winter low42 °Faverage low, December

Hot days168days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights8nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days8,111base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 22 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 56 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation10.7 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: Apache Junction 5 Ne, AZ (10 mi away); precipitation: Apache Junction 5.5 Ese, AZ (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

851179b

Apache Junction, AZ · 3 mi

851199b

Apache Junction, AZ · 9 mi

851409b

San Tan Valley, AZ · 10 mi

851789b

Apache Junction, AZ · 11 mi

851209b

Apache Junction, AZ · 12 mi

851909b

Tortilla Flat, AZ · 12 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 85118

What planting zone is ZIP code 85118?

ZIP code 85118 (Gold Canyon, AZ) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Gold Canyon, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85118 is February 11; after March 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Apache Junction 5 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Gold Canyon, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85118 is December 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 304 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85118?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 17 – Dec 31 and set transplants outside around Feb 18 – Mar 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85118 get?

About 10.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Apache Junction 5.5 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Gold Canyon, AZ?

The average high peaks at 105 °F in July, with about 168 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85118 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cellar at the center of ZIP 85118: very gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Gold Canyon, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85118 came on Jan 21 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gold Canyon, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 85118 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.