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

Planting zone for 85624 — Patagonia, AZ

ZIP code 85624 (Patagonia, Santa Cruz County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost November 17.

Where ZIP 85624 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 frostMar 20

First frostNov 17

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 Patagonia, 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 Patagonia, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Oct 30

Growing season239 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 23 and returns around November 30.

From the NOAA station Nogales Intl Airport, AZ — 10 miles away, elevation 3,934 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 85624

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 22 – Oct 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 3 – Dec 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 20) and first fall frost (Nov 17) 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 85624 came on Jan 29 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3).

average
Feb 32026
Jan 29

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 Patagonia, AZ.

Soil in Patagonia, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85624 is Lampshire — very cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lampshire-Graham-Rock outcrop association, steep.

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 85624; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Patagonia, AZ

Summer high97 °Faverage high, June

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days110days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights45nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,666base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 05 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation17 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Nogales Intl Airport, AZ (10 mi away); precipitation: Patagonia Paton Center, AZ (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Fort Huachuca, AZ · 18 mi

856149a

Green Valley, AZ · 24 mi

856718b

Sierra Vista, AZ · 25 mi

856168b

Huachuca City, AZ · 27 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 85624

What planting zone is ZIP code 85624?

ZIP code 85624 (Patagonia, 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 Patagonia, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85624 is March 20; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Nogales Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Patagonia, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85624 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 239 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85624?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 23 – Feb 6 and set transplants outside around Mar 27 – Apr 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85624 get?

About 17 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Patagonia Paton Center station).

How hot do summers get in Patagonia, AZ?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in June, with about 110 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85624 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lampshire at the center of ZIP 85624: very cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Patagonia, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85624 came on Jan 29 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Patagonia, AZ?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 85624 is 14 h 12 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.