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

Planting zone for 86315 — Prescott Valley, AZ

ZIP code 86315 (Prescott Valley, Yavapai County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 86315 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostApr 20
First frostOct 27
2012 zone7b

Was 7b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Prescott Valley, 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 Valley, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 20median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 13
Growing season188 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Prescott Love Field, AZ — 7 miles away, elevation 5,043 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 86315

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 30
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 4 – May 18
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 20) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 86315 came on Feb 7 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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 8a in Arizona

472 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arizona, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 24

Arizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona madrone30 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −4 °FArizona sycamore80 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −8 °FArizona walnut50 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblue spruce100 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Shrubs 100

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican tarwort3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FApache plume6 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °Fbig sagebrush4 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 195

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 144

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Fanalogue sedge1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FArizona cottontop4 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °FArizona fescue2 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °F

Vines 1

western white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Valley, AZ.

Soil in Prescott Valley, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 86315 is Lonti — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lonti gravelly loam, 0 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 86315; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Prescott Valley, AZ

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, January
Hot days50days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights113nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,694base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 29 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
Precipitation15.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 53 °F, low 26 °F 53°26° JanFebruary: average high 56 °F, low 29 °F 56°29° FebMarch: average high 62 °F, low 34 °F 62°34° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 39 °F 69°39° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 47 °F 77°47° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 56 °F 88°56° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 63 °F 90°63° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 61 °F 88°61° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 54 °F 83°54° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 42 °F 73°42° OctNovember: average high 62 °F, low 32 °F 62°32° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 26 °F 52°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 1.61 in precipitation 1.6 JanFebruary: 1.69 in precipitation 1.7 FebMarch: 1.32 in precipitation 1.3 MarApril: 0.40 in precipitation 0.4 AprMay: 0.38 in precipitation 0.4 MayJune: 0.19 in precipitation 0.2 JunJuly: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 JulAugust: 2.05 in precipitation 2.0 AugSeptember: 1.49 in precipitation 1.5 SepOctober: 0.90 in precipitation 0.9 OctNovember: 0.72 in precipitation 0.7 NovDecember: 1.17 in precipitation 1.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Prescott Love Field, AZ (7 mi away); precipitation: Prescott Valley 1.1 Ese, AZ (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

7 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

863127b
Prescott Valley, AZ · 1 mi
863147b
Prescott Valley, AZ · 6 mi
863408b
Sedona, AZ · 7 mi
863017b
Prescott, AZ · 9 mi
863238a
Chino Valley, AZ · 9 mi
863318b
Jerome, AZ · 11 mi
863137b
Prescott, AZ · 12 mi
863047b
Prescott, AZ · 13 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Prescott Valley → · Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 86315

What planting zone is ZIP code 86315?

ZIP code 86315 (Prescott Valley, AZ) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Prescott Valley, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 86315 is April 20; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Prescott Love Field station.

When is the first frost in Prescott Valley, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 86315 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 188 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 86315?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 23 – Mar 9 and set transplants outside around Apr 27 – May 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 86315 get?

About 15.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Prescott Valley 1.1 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Prescott Valley, AZ?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 50 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 86315 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lonti at the center of ZIP 86315: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Prescott Valley, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 86315 came on Feb 7 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Prescott Valley, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 86315 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 86315 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 86315 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.