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

Planting zone for 86333 — Mayer, AZ

ZIP code 86333 (Mayer, Yavapai County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost November 17.

Where ZIP 86333 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostApr 5
First frostNov 17
2012 zone8b

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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Mayer, 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 Mayer, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Oct 28
Growing season221 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 7 and returns around November 28.

From the NOAA station Cordes, AZ — 5 miles away, elevation 3,770 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 86333

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 22 – Oct 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 3 – Dec 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Nov 17) 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 86333 came on Feb 2 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

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).

Soil in Mayer, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 86333 is Springerville — cobbly clay, well drained.

TextureCobbly clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.6slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Springerville-Cabezon complex, 3 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 86333; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mayer, AZ

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July
Winter low33 °Faverage low, December
Hot days101days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights44nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,943base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 27 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 51 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation15.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 59 °F, low 34 °F 59°34° JanFebruary: average high 61 °F, low 35 °F 61°35° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 38 °F 67°38° MarApril: average high 74 °F, low 42 °F 74°42° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 50 °F 83°50° MayJune: average high 93 °F, low 58 °F 93°58° JunJuly: average high 96 °F, low 66 °F 96°66° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 66 °F 94°66° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 60 °F 89°60° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 49 °F 79°49° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 39 °F 67°39° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 33 °F 58°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 1.92 in precipitation 1.9 JanFebruary: 1.99 in precipitation 2.0 FebMarch: 1.51 in precipitation 1.5 MarApril: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 AprMay: 0.41 in precipitation 0.4 MayJune: 0.32 in precipitation 0.3 JunJuly: 1.97 in precipitation 2.0 JulAugust: 2.03 in precipitation 2.0 AugSeptember: 1.54 in precipitation 1.5 SepOctober: 0.97 in precipitation 1.0 OctNovember: 0.99 in precipitation 1.0 NovDecember: 1.53 in precipitation 1.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cordes, AZ (5 mi away); precipitation: Spring Valley 0.4 Sw, AZ (5 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.

853249a
Black Canyon City, AZ · 14 mi
863298a
Humboldt, AZ · 16 mi
863278a
Dewey, AZ · 16 mi
863438a
Crown King, AZ · 16 mi
863228b
Camp Verde, AZ · 19 mi
863037b
Prescott, AZ · 23 mi
863147b
Prescott Valley, AZ · 24 mi
863268b
Cottonwood, AZ · 26 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 86333

What planting zone is ZIP code 86333?

ZIP code 86333 (Mayer, AZ) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Mayer, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 86333 is April 5; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cordes station.

When is the first frost in Mayer, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 86333 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 221 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 86333?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 86333 get?

About 15.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Spring Valley 0.4 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Mayer, AZ?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 101 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 86333 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Springerville at the center of ZIP 86333: cobbly clay, well drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Mayer, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 86333 came on Feb 2 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mayer, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 86333 is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.