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

Planting zone for 85331 — Cave Creek, AZ

ZIP code 85331 (Cave Creek, Maricopa County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 4 and the first fall frost December 16.

Where ZIP 85331 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 4

First frostDec 16

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 Cave Creek, 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 Cave Creek, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 16median — 10% chance by Nov 24

Growing season313 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 14 and returns around January 1.

From the NOAA station Carefree, AZ — 5 miles away, elevation 2,530 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 85331

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 24 – Jan 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 26 – Dec 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 10 – Dec 24

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 26 – Dec 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 18 – Mar 4

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 21 – Nov 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 2 – Jan 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 4) and first fall frost (Dec 16) 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 85331 came on Jan 21 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25).

average
Jan 252026
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 Cave Creek, AZ.

Soil in Cave Creek, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85331 is Lehmans — very gravelly clay loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lehmans-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 65 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 85331; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cave Creek, AZ

Summer high103 °Faverage high, July

Winter low41 °Faverage low, December

Hot days153days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights6nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,680base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 25 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 54 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation12.6 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: Carefree, AZ (5 mi away); precipitation: Carefree, AZ (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

853279b

Cave Creek, AZ · 4 mi

853779b

Carefree, AZ · 4 mi

852629b

Scottsdale, AZ · 8 mi

8526610a

Scottsdale, AZ · 8 mi

850869b

Phoenix, AZ · 12 mi

850879b

New River, AZ · 12 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Cave Creek → · Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 85331

What planting zone is ZIP code 85331?

ZIP code 85331 (Cave Creek, 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 Cave Creek, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85331 is February 4; after March 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carefree station.

When is the first frost in Cave Creek, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85331 is December 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 313 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85331?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 10 – Dec 24 and set transplants outside around Feb 11 – Feb 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85331 get?

About 12.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carefree station).

How hot do summers get in Cave Creek, AZ?

The average high peaks at 103 °F in July, with about 153 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85331 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lehmans at the center of ZIP 85331: very gravelly clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Cave Creek, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85331 came on Jan 21 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cave Creek, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 85331 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.