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

Planting zone for 86302 — Prescott, AZ

ZIP code 86302 (Prescott, Yavapai County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 86302 is

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 30

First frostOct 20

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 Prescott, 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 Prescott, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 7

Growing season172 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Prescott, AZ — 3 miles away, elevation 5,207 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 86302

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

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 (Apr 30) 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 86302 came on Feb 7 — 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3).

average
Mar 32026
Feb 7

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 Prescott, AZ.

Soil in Prescott, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 86302 is Cordes — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of unique importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Cordes sandy loam.

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 86302; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Prescott, AZ

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days44days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights128nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,424base 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

Precipitation15.8 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: Prescott, AZ (3 mi away); precipitation: Prescott 4.6 N, AZ (2 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.

Prescott Valley, AZ · 9 mi

863408b

Sedona, AZ · 11 mi

863127b

Prescott Valley, AZ · 12 mi

863158a

Prescott Valley, AZ · 13 mi

All 6 ZIP codes in Prescott → · Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 86302

What planting zone is ZIP code 86302?

ZIP code 86302 (Prescott, 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 Prescott, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 86302 is April 30; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Prescott station.

When is the first frost in Prescott, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 86302 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 172 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 86302?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 86302 get?

About 15.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Prescott 4.6 N station).

How hot do summers get in Prescott, AZ?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 44 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 86302 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cordes at the center of ZIP 86302: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Prescott, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 86302 came on Feb 7 in 2026, 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Prescott, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 86302 is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.