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

Planting zone for 82839 — Ranchester, WY

ZIP code 82839 (Ranchester, Sheridan County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 24 and the first fall frost September 18.

Where ZIP 82839 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostMay 24

First frostSep 18

2012 zone4b

Was 4b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ranchester, 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 Ranchester, 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 — 7 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 82839

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 82839 came on Mar 23 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11).

average
Apr 112026
Mar 23

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 5a in Wyoming

542 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Wyoming, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 Ranchester, WY.

Soil in Ranchester, WY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 82839 is Shingle — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Shingle-Worfka-Samday complex, 6 to 30 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 82839; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ranchester, WY

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low10 °Faverage low, January

Hot days24days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights197nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,854base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 37 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 46 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation16.9 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: Dayton, WY (7 mi away); precipitation: Ranchester 1.3 Ese, WY (4 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.

Lodge Grass, MT · 25 mi

Wyoming planting zones →

Questions about 82839

What planting zone is ZIP code 82839?

ZIP code 82839 (Ranchester, WY) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Ranchester, WY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 82839 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 Ranchester, WY?

The median first fall frost near 82839 is September 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 114 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 82839?

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 82839 get?

About 16.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ranchester 1.3 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Ranchester, WY?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 24 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 82839 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Shingle at the center of ZIP 82839: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Ranchester, WY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 82839 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ranchester, WY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 82839 is 15 h 37 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 82839 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 82839 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.