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

Planting zone for 85387 — Surprise, AZ

ZIP code 85387 (Surprise, Maricopa County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 5 and the first fall frost December 11.

Where ZIP 85387 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 5

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 Surprise, 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 Surprise, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 11median — 10% chance by Nov 20

Growing season306 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 15 and returns around December 27.

From the NOAA station Wittmann 1se, AZ — 6 miles away, elevation 1,683 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 85387

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 25 – Jan 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 27 – Dec 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 11 – Dec 25

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 27 – Dec 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

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 (Feb 5) 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 85387 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 Surprise, AZ.

Soil in Surprise, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85387 is Mohall — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mohall-Tremant complex, 0 to 3 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 85387; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Surprise, AZ

Summer high105 °Faverage high, July

Winter low39 °Faverage low, January

Hot days157days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights13nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,546base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 24 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

Precipitation9.9 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: Wittmann 1se, AZ (6 mi away); precipitation: Surprise 1.3 Ese, AZ (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

853749b

Surprise, AZ · 5 mi

853759b

Sun City West, AZ · 6 mi

853769b

Sun City West, AZ · 7 mi

All 5 ZIP codes in Surprise → · Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 85387

What planting zone is ZIP code 85387?

ZIP code 85387 (Surprise, 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 Surprise, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85387 is February 5; after March 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wittmann 1se station.

When is the first frost in Surprise, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85387 is December 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 306 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85387?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 11 – Dec 25 and set transplants outside around Feb 12 – Feb 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85387 get?

About 9.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Surprise 1.3 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Surprise, AZ?

The average high peaks at 105 °F in July, with about 157 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85387 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mohall at the center of ZIP 85387: loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Surprise, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85387 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 Surprise, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 85387 is 14 h 24 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.