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

Planting zone for 85937 — Snowflake, AZ

ZIP code 85937 (Snowflake, Navajo County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 85937 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 11

First frostOct 10

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 Snowflake, 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 Snowflake, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 28

Growing season149 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Snowflake, AZ — 6 miles away, elevation 5,643 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 85937

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8

BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 85937 came on Feb 28 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8).

average
Mar 82026
Feb 28

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 Snowflake, AZ.

Soil in Snowflake, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85937 is Kech — fine sandy loam, well drained.

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

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kech fine sandy loam, 1 to 12 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 85937; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Snowflake, AZ

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days48days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights149nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,034base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 28 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 50 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation11 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall13 inper year; 8 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: Snowflake, AZ (6 mi away); precipitation: Snowflake, AZ (6 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.

859397a

Taylor, AZ · 10 mi

859127a

White Mountain Lake, AZ · 12 mi

Clay Springs, AZ · 25 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 85937

What planting zone is ZIP code 85937?

ZIP code 85937 (Snowflake, 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 Snowflake, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85937 is May 11; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Snowflake station.

When is the first frost in Snowflake, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85937 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 149 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85937?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85937 get?

About 11 inches of precipitation a year and 13 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Snowflake station).

How hot do summers get in Snowflake, AZ?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 48 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85937 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kech at the center of ZIP 85937: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Snowflake, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85937 came on Feb 28 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Snowflake, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 85937 is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.