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

Planting zone for 86031 — Indian Wells, AZ

ZIP code 86031 (Indian Wells, Navajo County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 86031 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 1

First frostOct 20

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 Indian Wells, 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 Indian Wells, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 6

Growing season169 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Painted Desert Np, AZ — 27 miles away, elevation 5,761 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 86031

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29

BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 86031 came on Feb 23 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11).

average
Mar 112026
Feb 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 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 Indian Wells, AZ.

Soil in Indian Wells, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 86031 is Wepo — clay, well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH8.1alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wepo-Ives-Jocity association, 0 to 2 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 86031; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Indian Wells, AZ

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days65days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights128nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,320base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 33 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 46 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation9.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 inper year; 1 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: Painted Desert Np, AZ (27 mi away); precipitation: Painted Desert Np, AZ (27 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.

860327a

Joseph City, AZ · 23 mi

860287a

Petrified Forest Natl Pk, AZ · 27 mi

865056b

Ganado, AZ · 27 mi

860297a

Sun Valley, AZ · 27 mi

860346b

Keams Canyon, AZ · 28 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 86031

What planting zone is ZIP code 86031?

ZIP code 86031 (Indian Wells, 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 Indian Wells, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 86031 is May 1; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Painted Desert Np station.

When is the first frost in Indian Wells, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 86031 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 169 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 86031?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 86031 get?

About 9.9 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Painted Desert Np station).

How hot do summers get in Indian Wells, AZ?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 65 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 86031 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wepo at the center of ZIP 86031: clay, well drained, pH about 8.1 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Indian Wells, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 86031 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Indian Wells, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 86031 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.