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

Planting zone for 85548 — Safford, AZ

ZIP code 85548 (Safford, Graham County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 85548 is

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 frostMar 25

First frostNov 9

2012 zone8b

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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Safford, 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 Safford, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 23

Growing season228 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 3 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Safford Ag Center, AZ — 4 miles away, elevation 2,953 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 85548

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 25) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 85548 came on Jan 31 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2).

average
Feb 22026
Jan 31

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.

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 Safford, AZ.

Soil in Safford, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85548 is Bitter Spring — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bitter Spring-Pinaleno complex, 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 85548; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Safford, AZ

Summer high100 °Faverage high, June

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days142days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights70nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,967base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 19 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 59 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation8.8 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: Safford Ag Center, AZ (4 mi away); precipitation: Safford Ag Center, AZ (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

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

Questions about 85548

What planting zone is ZIP code 85548?

ZIP code 85548 (Safford, 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 Safford, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85548 is March 25; after April 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Safford Ag Center station.

When is the first frost in Safford, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85548 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 228 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85548?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 28 – Feb 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 1 – Apr 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85548 get?

About 8.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Safford Ag Center station).

How hot do summers get in Safford, AZ?

The average high peaks at 100 °F in June, with about 142 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85548 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bitter Spring at the center of ZIP 85548: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Safford, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85548 came on Jan 31 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 Safford, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 85548 is 14 h 19 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.