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

Planting zone for 86020 — Cameron, AZ

ZIP code 86020 (Cameron, Coconino County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 86020 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 16

First frostOct 28

2012 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cameron, 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 Cameron, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 13

Growing season193 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 30 and returns around November 7.

From the NOAA station Tuba City, AZ — 17 miles away, elevation 4,987 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 86020

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 86020 came on Feb 20 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2).

average
Mar 22026
Feb 20

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 7b in Arizona

459 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arizona, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. 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 Cameron, AZ.

Soil in Cameron, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 86020 is Hatknoll — sandy clay loam, well drained.

TextureSandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH8.0alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.3%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Hatknoll-Lithic Haplargids complex, 2 to 8 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 86020; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cameron, AZ

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, December

Hot days76days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights119nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,031base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 36 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 43 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation6.3 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: Tuba City, AZ (17 mi away); precipitation: Tuba City, AZ (17 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.

860166b

Gray Mountain, AZ · 18 mi

860457b

Tuba City, AZ · 23 mi

860237a

Grand Canyon, AZ · 29 mi

860307a

Hotevilla, AZ · 40 mi

860526b

North Rim, AZ · 41 mi

860046b

Flagstaff, AZ · 43 mi

860016a

Flagstaff, AZ · 46 mi

860407b

Page, AZ · 46 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 86020

What planting zone is ZIP code 86020?

ZIP code 86020 (Cameron, AZ) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Cameron, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 86020 is April 16; after May 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tuba City station.

When is the first frost in Cameron, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 86020 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 193 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 86020?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 86020 get?

About 6.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tuba City station).

How hot do summers get in Cameron, AZ?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 76 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 86020 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hatknoll at the center of ZIP 86020: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 8.0 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Cameron, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 86020 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cameron, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 86020 is 14 h 36 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.