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

Planting zone for 85609 — Dragoon, AZ

ZIP code 85609 (Dragoon, Cochise County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 85609 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 12

First frostNov 1

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 Dragoon, 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 Dragoon, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 12median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 29only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 18

Growing season202 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 23 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station Benson 6se, AZ — 16 miles away, elevation 3,691 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 85609

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 22

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 12) and first fall frost (Nov 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 85609 came on Feb 5 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3).

average
Feb 32026
Feb 5

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 Dragoon, AZ.

Soil in Dragoon, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85609 is Budlamp — very gravelly fine sandy loam, well drained.

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

pH6.6neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Budlamp-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 70 percent slope.

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 85609; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dragoon, AZ

Summer high99 °Faverage high, June

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days130days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights93nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,335base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 15 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 03 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation11.8 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: Benson 6se, AZ (16 mi away); precipitation: Benson 6se, AZ (16 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Saint David, AZ · 14 mi

Fort Huachuca, AZ · 24 mi

856438b

Willcox, AZ · 28 mi

856388b

Tombstone, AZ · 28 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 85609

What planting zone is ZIP code 85609?

ZIP code 85609 (Dragoon, 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 Dragoon, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85609 is April 12; after April 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Benson 6se station.

When is the first frost in Dragoon, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85609 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 202 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85609?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 15 – Mar 1 and set transplants outside around Apr 19 – May 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85609 get?

About 11.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Benson 6se station).

How hot do summers get in Dragoon, AZ?

The average high peaks at 99 °F in June, with about 130 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85609 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Budlamp at the center of ZIP 85609: very gravelly fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.6 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Dragoon, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85609 came on Feb 5 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 Dragoon, AZ?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 85609 is 14 h 15 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.