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

Planting zone for 86032 — Joseph City, AZ

ZIP code 86032 (Joseph City, Navajo County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 86032 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 frostApr 22

First frostOct 24

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 Joseph City, 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 Joseph City, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 12

Growing season184 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Holbrook, AZ — 14 miles away, elevation 5,086 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 86032

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 86032 came on Feb 23 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6).

average
Mar 62026
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 Joseph City, AZ.

Soil in Joseph City, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 86032 is Torriorthents — variable, excessively drained.

TextureVariabletop layer

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Badland-Torriorthents association, 1 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 86032; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Joseph City, AZ

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days77days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights137nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,920base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 31 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 47 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation8.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 inper year; 2 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: Holbrook, AZ (14 mi away); precipitation: Holbrook, AZ (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

860297a

Sun Valley, AZ · 17 mi

Indian Wells, AZ · 23 mi

859427a

Woodruff, AZ · 25 mi

860287a

Petrified Forest Natl Pk, AZ · 27 mi

859377a

Snowflake, AZ · 38 mi

865027a

Chambers, AZ · 38 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 86032

What planting zone is ZIP code 86032?

ZIP code 86032 (Joseph City, 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 Joseph City, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 86032 is April 22; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Holbrook station.

When is the first frost in Joseph City, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 86032 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 184 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 86032?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 86032 get?

About 8.1 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Holbrook station).

How hot do summers get in Joseph City, AZ?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 77 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 86032 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Torriorthents at the center of ZIP 86032: variable, excessively drained.

Did spring come early in Joseph City, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 86032 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Joseph City, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 86032 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.