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

Planting zone for 85337 — Gila Bend, AZ

ZIP code 85337 (Gila Bend, Maricopa County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is January 23 and the first fall frost December 11.

Where ZIP 85337 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 frostJan 23

First frostDec 11

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 Gila Bend, 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 Gila Bend, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsFebruary 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 11median — 10% chance by Nov 24

Growing season323 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 5 and returns around December 25.

From the NOAA station Gila Bend 2se, AZ — 11 miles away, elevation 794 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 85337

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 12 – Dec 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 12 – Jan 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 14 – Nov 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 2 – Jan 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Dec 26 – Jan 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Nov 28 – Dec 12

TomatoesTransplant · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 14 – Nov 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 6 – Feb 20

BeansSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 16 – Oct 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 27 – Jan 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 23) and first fall frost (Dec 11) 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 85337 came on Jan 22 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23).

average
Jan 232026
Jan 22

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 Gila Bend, AZ.

Soil in Gila Bend, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85337 is Gunsight — extremely gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

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

pH8.5alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gunsight-Chuckawalla complex, 1 to 15 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 85337; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gila Bend, AZ

Summer high109 °Faverage high, July

Winter low40 °Faverage low, December

Hot days192days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights10nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days9,081base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 20 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 58 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation6.3 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: Gila Bend 2se, AZ (11 mi away); precipitation: Gila Bend 2se, AZ (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

853229b

Arlington, AZ · 13 mi

Palo Verde, AZ · 27 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 85337

What planting zone is ZIP code 85337?

ZIP code 85337 (Gila Bend, 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 Gila Bend, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85337 is January 23; after February 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gila Bend 2se station.

When is the first frost in Gila Bend, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85337 is December 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 323 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85337?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Nov 28 – Dec 12 and set transplants outside around Jan 30 – Feb 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85337 get?

About 6.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gila Bend 2se station).

How hot do summers get in Gila Bend, AZ?

The average high peaks at 109 °F in July, with about 192 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85337 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gunsight at the center of ZIP 85337: extremely gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 8.5 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Gila Bend, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85337 came on Jan 22 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gila Bend, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 85337 is 14 h 20 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.