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

Planting zone for 85354 — Tonopah, AZ

ZIP code 85354 (Tonopah, Maricopa County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is January 21 and the first fall frost December 15.

Where ZIP 85354 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 21

First frostDec 15

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 Tonopah, 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 Tonopah, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJanuary 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsFebruary 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 15median — 10% chance by Nov 27

Growing season327 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 8 and returns around December 28.

From the NOAA station Painted Rock Dam, AZ — 23 miles away, elevation 568 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 85354

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 10 – Dec 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 10 – Dec 31

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 12 – Nov 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Dec 31 – Jan 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Nov 26 – Dec 10

TomatoesTransplant · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 12 – Nov 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 4 – Feb 18

BeansSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 20 – Nov 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 1 – Jan 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jan 21) and first fall frost (Dec 15) 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 85354 came on Jan 23 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

average
Jan 262026
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 Tonopah, AZ.

Soil in Tonopah, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85354 is Cherioni — very gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cherioni-Rock outcrop complex.

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 85354; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tonopah, AZ

Summer high108 °Faverage high, July

Winter low40 °Faverage low, December

Hot days186days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights9nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days8,825base 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

Precipitation6.1 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: Painted Rock Dam, AZ (23 mi away); precipitation: Painted Rock Dam, AZ (23 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

853229b

Arlington, AZ · 21 mi

853439b

Palo Verde, AZ · 22 mi

Gila Bend, AZ · 32 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 85354

What planting zone is ZIP code 85354?

ZIP code 85354 (Tonopah, 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 Tonopah, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85354 is January 21; after February 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Painted Rock Dam station.

When is the first frost in Tonopah, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85354 is December 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 327 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85354?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Nov 26 – Dec 10 and set transplants outside around Jan 28 – Feb 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85354 get?

About 6.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Painted Rock Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Tonopah, AZ?

The average high peaks at 108 °F in July, with about 186 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85354 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cherioni at the center of ZIP 85354: very gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Tonopah, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85354 came on Jan 23 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tonopah, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 85354 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.