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

Planting zone for 85608 — Douglas, AZ

ZIP code 85608 (Douglas, Cochise County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 85608 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostApr 11

First frostNov 2

2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Douglas, 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 Douglas, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 21

Growing season203 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Douglas Bisbee Inl Airport, AZ — within 1 mile, elevation 4,105 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 85608

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 7 – Sep 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 85608 came on Feb 1 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3).

average
Feb 32026
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 8a in Arizona

472 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arizona, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Douglas, AZ.

Soil in Douglas, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85608 is Bonita — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.6slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of unique importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Bonita-Forrest complex, 1 to 8 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 85608; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Douglas, AZ

Summer high96 °Faverage high, June

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days111days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights75nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,020base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 06 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation14 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: Douglas Bisbee Inl Airport, AZ (within 1 mile); precipitation: Douglas 8.8 Nnw, AZ (within 1 mile). 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.

856268a

Pirtleville, AZ · 7 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Douglas → · Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 85608

What planting zone is ZIP code 85608?

ZIP code 85608 (Douglas, AZ) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Douglas, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85608 is April 11; after April 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Douglas Bisbee Inl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Douglas, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85608 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 203 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85608?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85608 get?

About 14 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Douglas 8.8 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Douglas, AZ?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in June, with about 111 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85608 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bonita at the center of ZIP 85608: loam, well drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Douglas, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85608 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 Douglas, AZ?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 85608 is 14 h 12 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.