Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 85901 — Show Low, AZ

ZIP code 85901 (Show Low, Navajo County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 85901 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 frostMay 5

First frostOct 15

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 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 — 4 miles away, 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 85901

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 51 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.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

859397a

Taylor, AZ · 9 mi

859127a

White Mountain Lake, AZ · 9 mi

Snowflake, AZ · 18 mi

859236b

Clay Springs, AZ · 18 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Show Low → · Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 85901

What planting zone is ZIP code 85901?

ZIP code 85901 (Show Low, AZ) 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 Show Low, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85901 is May 5; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Show Low Airport station.

When is the first frost in Show Low, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85901 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 162 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85901?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85901 get?

About 15.7 inches of precipitation a year and 19 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Show Low Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Show Low, AZ?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85901 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vertic Haplustalfs at the center of ZIP 85901: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Show Low, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85901 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Show Low, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 85901 is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.