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

Planting zone for 85541 — Payson, AZ

ZIP code 85541 (Payson, Gila County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 85541 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostApr 29
First frostOct 24
2012 zone7b

Was 7b on the 2012 map — a full zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Payson, 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 Payson, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season176 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Payson, AZ — within 1 mile, elevation 4,849 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 85541

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27
BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 85541 came on Feb 5 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15).

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 8b in Arizona

482 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arizona, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 25

Arizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona madrone30 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −4 °FArizona sycamore80 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −8 °FArizona walnut50 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblue spruce100 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Shrubs 105

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican tarwort3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FApache plume6 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °Fbig sagebrush4 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 196

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican century plant6 ft · blooms indeterminate · high shade tolerance · to 12 °F

Grasses 147

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Fanalogue sedge1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FArizona cottontop4 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °FArizona fescue2 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °F

Vines 1

western white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Payson, AZ.

Soil in Payson, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85541 is Lithic Argiustolls — extremely cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureExtremely cobbly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lithic Argiustolls, Cumulic Haplustolls, rarely flooded, and Typic Ustorthents; warm mesic ustic mountains.

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 85541; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Payson, AZ

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, January
Hot days65days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights125nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,626base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 26 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation19.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall19 inper year; 5 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 56 °F, low 26 °F 56°26° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 28 °F 59°28° FebMarch: average high 65 °F, low 32 °F 65°32° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 36 °F 72°36° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 43 °F 80°43° MayJune: average high 90 °F, low 51 °F 90°51° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 60 °F 93°60° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 59 °F 91°59° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 52 °F 86°52° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 41 °F 76°41° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 31 °F 64°31° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 26 °F 55°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 2.27 in precipitation, 4.7 in snowfall 2.3❄5 JanFebruary: 2.33 in precipitation, 4.9 in snowfall 2.3❄5 FebMarch: 1.89 in precipitation, 2 in snowfall 1.9❄2 MarApril: 0.82 in precipitation, 2 in snowfall 0.8❄2 AprMay: 0.54 in precipitation 0.5 MayJune: 0.21 in precipitation 0.2 JunJuly: 2.81 in precipitation 2.8 JulAugust: 2.60 in precipitation 2.6 AugSeptember: 1.54 in precipitation 1.5 SepOctober: 1.26 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 1.48 in precipitation, 1.3 in snowfall 1.5❄1 NovDecember: 2.09 in precipitation, 3.6 in snowfall 2.1❄4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Payson, AZ (within 1 mile); precipitation: Payson, AZ (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

855478a
Payson, AZ · 4 mi
855448a
Pine, AZ · 13 mi
852639b
Rio Verde, AZ · 23 mi
855548a
Young, AZ · 25 mi
859316b
Forest Lakes, AZ · 27 mi
855539a
Tonto Basin, AZ · 31 mi
863228b
Camp Verde, AZ · 31 mi
860247a
Happy Jack, AZ · 32 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Payson → · Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 85541

What planting zone is ZIP code 85541?

ZIP code 85541 (Payson, AZ) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Payson, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85541 is April 29; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Payson station.

When is the first frost in Payson, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85541 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 176 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85541?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85541 get?

About 19.8 inches of precipitation a year and 19 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Payson station).

How hot do summers get in Payson, AZ?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 65 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85541 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lithic Argiustolls at the center of ZIP 85541: extremely cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Payson, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85541 came on Feb 5 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Payson, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 85541 is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 85541 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 85541 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.