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

Planting zone for 85532 — Claypool, AZ

ZIP code 85532 (Claypool, Gila County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 24 and the first fall frost December 1.

Where ZIP 85532 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostFeb 24

First frostDec 1

2012 zone9a

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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Claypool, 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 Claypool, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostDecember 1median — 10% chance by Nov 15

Growing season279 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 30 and returns around December 13.

From the NOAA station Miami, AZ — 2 miles away, elevation 3,560 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 85532

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 13 – Feb 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 16 – Dec 30

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 16 – Dec 30

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 6 – Oct 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 17 – Dec 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 24) and first fall frost (Dec 1) 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 85532 came on Feb 1 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2).

average
Feb 22026
Feb 1

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 9a in Arizona

492 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arizona, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. 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 Claypool, AZ.

Soil in Claypool, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85532 is Haplic Torriarents — very gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

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

pH6.6neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land and Haplic Torriarents soils, 0 to 5 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 85532; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Claypool, AZ

Summer high100 °Faverage high, July

Winter low35 °Faverage low, December

Hot days122days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights25nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,464base 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

Precipitation17.2 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: Miami, AZ (2 mi away); precipitation: Miami, AZ (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Roosevelt, AZ · 20 mi

855509a

San Carlos, AZ · 21 mi

851379b

Kearny, AZ · 22 mi

851179b

Apache Junction, AZ · 29 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 85532

What planting zone is ZIP code 85532?

ZIP code 85532 (Claypool, AZ) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Claypool, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85532 is February 24; after March 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Miami station.

When is the first frost in Claypool, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85532 is December 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 279 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85532?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 30 – Jan 13 and set transplants outside around Mar 3 – Mar 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85532 get?

About 17.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Miami station).

How hot do summers get in Claypool, AZ?

The average high peaks at 100 °F in July, with about 122 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85532 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Haplic Torriarents at the center of ZIP 85532: very gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.6 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Claypool, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85532 came on Feb 1 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Claypool, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 85532 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.