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

Planting zone for 73718 — Ames, OK

ZIP code 73718 (Ames, Major County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 73718 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostApr 7

First frostNov 2

2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ames, OK…

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 Ames, OK

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after

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

Growing season208 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Okeene, OK — 11 miles away, elevation 1,214 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 73718

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

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 7) 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 73718 came on Feb 14 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 28).

average
Feb 282026
Feb 14

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 Oklahoma

511 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oklahoma, 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 Ames, OK.

Soil in Ames, OK

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 73718 is Nobscot — sand, well drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nobscot sand, 0 to 5 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 73718; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ames, OK

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days88days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights88nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,251base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 38 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 41 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation33.5 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: Okeene, OK (11 mi away); precipitation: Ames, OK (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

Hennessey, OK · 16 mi

Oklahoma planting zones →

Questions about 73718

What planting zone is ZIP code 73718?

ZIP code 73718 (Ames, OK) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Ames, OK?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 73718 is April 7; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Okeene station.

When is the first frost in Ames, OK?

The median first fall frost near 73718 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 208 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 73718?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 73718 get?

About 33.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ames station).

How hot do summers get in Ames, OK?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 88 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 73718 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nobscot at the center of ZIP 73718: sand, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Ames, OK in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 73718 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ames, OK?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 73718 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.