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

Planting zone for 74085 — Yale, OK

ZIP code 74085 (Yale, Payne County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost November 5.

Where ZIP 74085 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 1

First frostNov 5

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 Yale, 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 Yale, OK

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 5median — 10% chance by Oct 20

Growing season217 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Cushing, OK — 9 miles away, elevation 951 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 74085

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 10 – Sep 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 22 – Nov 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Nov 5) 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 74085 came on Feb 13 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26).

average
Feb 262026
Feb 13

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 Yale, OK.

Soil in Yale, OK

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 74085 is Darnell — fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.4%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Darnell-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 45 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 74085; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Yale, OK

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days69days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights76nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,103base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 37 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 42 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation37.3 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: Cushing, OK (9 mi away); precipitation: Yale 0.4 E, OK (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Drumright, OK · 12 mi

Oklahoma planting zones →

Questions about 74085

What planting zone is ZIP code 74085?

ZIP code 74085 (Yale, 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 Yale, OK?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 74085 is April 1; after April 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cushing station.

When is the first frost in Yale, OK?

The median first fall frost near 74085 is November 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 217 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 74085?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 4 – Feb 18 and set transplants outside around Apr 8 – Apr 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 74085 get?

About 37.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Yale 0.4 E station).

How hot do summers get in Yale, OK?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 69 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 74085 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Darnell at the center of ZIP 74085: fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Yale, OK in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 74085 came on Feb 13 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Yale, OK?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 74085 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.