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

Planting zone for 82836 — Dayton, WY

ZIP code 82836 (Dayton, Sheridan County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 24 and the first fall frost September 18.

Where ZIP 82836 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F

Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C

Last frostMay 24

First frostSep 18

2012 zone4b

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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Dayton, WY…

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 Dayton, WY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 18median — 10% chance by Sep 2

Growing season114 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 9 and returns around September 28.

From the NOAA station Dayton, WY — 17 miles away, elevation 3,921 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 82836

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 12 – May 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 3 – May 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

TomatoesTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 7 – Jun 21

BeansSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 24 – Aug 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 4 – Oct 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 24) and first fall frost (Sep 18) 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 82836 came on May 7 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 18).

average
May 182026
May 7

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 4b in Wyoming

495 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Wyoming, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. 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 Dayton, WY.

Soil in Dayton, WY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 82836 is Cloud Peak — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cloud Peak gravelly silt loam, 5 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 82836; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dayton, WY

Summer high71 °Faverage high, July

Winter low7 °Faverage low, February

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights254nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days533base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 36 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 47 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation25.3 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: Burgess Junction, WY (6 mi away); precipitation: Burgess Junction, WY (4 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.

Ranchester, WY · 23 mi

Wyoming planting zones →

Questions about 82836

What planting zone is ZIP code 82836?

ZIP code 82836 (Dayton, WY) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Dayton, WY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 82836 is May 24; after June 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dayton station.

When is the first frost in Dayton, WY?

The median first fall frost near 82836 is September 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 114 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 82836?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 29 – Apr 12 and set transplants outside around May 31 – Jun 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 82836 get?

About 25.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burgess Junction station).

How hot do summers get in Dayton, WY?

The average high peaks at 71 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 82836 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cloud Peak at the center of ZIP 82836: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Dayton, WY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 82836 came on May 7 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dayton, WY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 82836 is 15 h 36 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).