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

Planting zone for 86323 — Chino Valley, AZ

ZIP code 86323 (Chino Valley, Yavapai County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 86323 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 27
First frostOct 24
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 Chino 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 Chino Valley, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 9
Growing season178 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Chino Valley, AZ — 3 miles away, elevation 4,751 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 86323

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25
BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
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 27) 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 86323 came on Feb 9 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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 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 Chino Valley, AZ.

Soil in Chino Valley, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 86323 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 86323; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chino Valley, AZ

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days72days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights127nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,830base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 49 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation15.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 54 °F, low 24 °F 54°24° JanFebruary: average high 57 °F, low 27 °F 57°27° FebMarch: average high 65 °F, low 32 °F 65°32° MarApril: average high 71 °F, low 37 °F 71°37° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 45 °F 80°45° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 54 °F 91°54° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 62 °F 93°62° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 60 °F 91°60° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 53 °F 86°53° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 41 °F 76°41° OctNovember: average high 63 °F, low 30 °F 63°30° NovDecember: average high 53 °F, low 24 °F 53°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 1.31 in precipitation 1.3 JanFebruary: 1.75 in precipitation 1.8 FebMarch: 1.27 in precipitation 1.3 MarApril: 0.61 in precipitation 0.6 AprMay: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 MayJune: 0.31 in precipitation 0.3 JunJuly: 2.23 in precipitation 2.2 JulAugust: 2.63 in precipitation 2.6 AugSeptember: 1.43 in precipitation 1.4 SepOctober: 1.17 in precipitation 1.2 OctNovember: 0.92 in precipitation 0.9 NovDecember: 1.17 in precipitation 1.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chino Valley, AZ (3 mi away); precipitation: Paulden 2.3 Sse, AZ (7 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.

863408b
Sedona, AZ · 4 mi
863127b
Prescott Valley, AZ · 9 mi
863158a
Prescott Valley, AZ · 9 mi
863017b
Prescott, AZ · 12 mi
863147b
Prescott Valley, AZ · 12 mi
863047b
Prescott, AZ · 13 mi
863027b
Prescott, AZ · 14 mi
863348a
Paulden, AZ · 15 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 86323

What planting zone is ZIP code 86323?

ZIP code 86323 (Chino 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 Chino Valley, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 86323 is April 27; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chino Valley station.

When is the first frost in Chino Valley, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 86323 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 178 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 86323?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 86323 get?

About 15.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Paulden 2.3 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Chino Valley, AZ?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 72 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 86323 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lonti at the center of ZIP 86323: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

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

Spring leaf-out near 86323 came on Feb 9 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chino Valley, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 86323 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 86323 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 86323 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.