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

Planting zone for 85605 — Bowie, AZ

ZIP code 85605 (Bowie, Cochise County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost November 6.

Where ZIP 85605 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 1
First frostNov 6
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 Bowie, 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 Bowie, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 21
Growing season217 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 9 and returns around November 17.

From the NOAA station Bowie, AZ — 2 miles away, elevation 3,776 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 85605

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 11 – Sep 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Nov 6) 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 85605 came on Feb 1 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3).

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).

Soil in Bowie, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85605 is Tubac — sandy clay loam, well drained.

TextureSandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Tubac sandy clay loam.

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 85605; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bowie, AZ

Summer high98 °Faverage high, June
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days121days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights59nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,349base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 16 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 02 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation11.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 61 °F, low 30 °F 61°30° JanFebruary: average high 65 °F, low 34 °F 65°34° FebMarch: average high 73 °F, low 38 °F 73°38° MarApril: average high 80 °F, low 44 °F 80°44° AprMay: average high 88 °F, low 52 °F 88°52° MayJune: average high 98 °F, low 62 °F 98°62° JunJuly: average high 97 °F, low 66 °F 97°66° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 65 °F 94°65° AugSeptember: average high 90 °F, low 59 °F 90°59° SepOctober: average high 82 °F, low 47 °F 82°47° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 36 °F 69°36° NovDecember: average high 60 °F, low 30 °F 60°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 1.04 in precipitation 1.0 JanFebruary: 0.78 in precipitation 0.8 FebMarch: 0.55 in precipitation 0.6 MarApril: 0.18 in precipitation 0.2 AprMay: 0.28 in precipitation 0.3 MayJune: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 2.64 in precipitation 2.6 JulAugust: 2.04 in precipitation 2.0 AugSeptember: 0.93 in precipitation 0.9 SepOctober: 0.68 in precipitation 0.7 OctNovember: 0.64 in precipitation 0.6 NovDecember: 1.06 in precipitation 1.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bowie, AZ (2 mi away); precipitation: Bowie, AZ (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

856448a
Willcox, AZ · 21 mi
856328a
San Simon, AZ · 24 mi
855468b
Safford, AZ · 28 mi
855518b
Solomon, AZ · 30 mi
856258a
Pearce, AZ · 32 mi
856708b
Fort Huachuca, AZ · 34 mi
856068b
Cochise, AZ · 34 mi
855348a
Duncan, AZ · 34 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 85605

What planting zone is ZIP code 85605?

ZIP code 85605 (Bowie, 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 Bowie, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85605 is April 1; after April 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bowie station.

When is the first frost in Bowie, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85605 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 217 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85605?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 4 – Feb 18 and set transplants outside around Apr 8 – Apr 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85605 get?

About 11.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bowie station).

How hot do summers get in Bowie, AZ?

The average high peaks at 98 °F in June, with about 121 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85605 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tubac at the center of ZIP 85605: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Bowie, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85605 came on Feb 1 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bowie, AZ?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 85605 is 14 h 16 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.