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

Planting zone for Show Low, AZ

Show Low, AZ is in USDA zone 7a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 15.

Show Low on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 ZIP code areas · 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostMay 5

First frostOct 15

Growing season162 days

7a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Show Low, 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 Show Low, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 2

Growing season162 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 22 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Show Low Airport, AZ, elevation 6,411 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 Show Low

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2

BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 85901 came on Feb 24 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13).

average
Mar 132026
Feb 24

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 7a in Arizona

457 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arizona, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Show Low, AZ.

Soil in Show Low, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85901 is Vertic Haplustalfs — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Vertic Haplustalfs, Aridic Haplustalfs, and Lithic Argiustolls; warm mesic aridic fan remnants and hills.

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 85901; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Show Low, AZ

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, December

Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights121nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,949base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 27 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation15.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall19 inper year; 12 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Show Low Airport, AZ (4 mi away); precipitation: Show Low Airport, AZ (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Show Low

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about Show Low

What planting zone is Show Low, AZ?

Show Low, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map (7a: 0 to 5 °F).

When is the last frost in Show Low, AZ?

The median last spring frost is May 5 and the median first fall frost is October 15 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Show Low Airport station).

When can I plant a garden in Show Low, AZ?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 24 – Apr 14; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 12, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Show Low, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Show Low, AZ get?

About 15.7 inches of precipitation a year and 19 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).