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

Planting zone for 86335 — Rimrock, AZ

ZIP code 86335 (Rimrock, Yavapai County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 86335 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 16
First frostOct 30
2012 zone8b

Was 8b on the 2012 map — half a zone colder 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 Rimrock, 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 Rimrock, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 15
Growing season196 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 21 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Montezuma Castle Nm, AZ — 11 miles away, elevation 3,179 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 86335

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 86335 came on Feb 3 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16).

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 Rimrock, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 86335 is Springerville — very stony clay, well drained.

TextureVery stony 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 very stony clay, 0 to 10 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 86335; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rimrock, AZ

Summer high101 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, December
Hot days135days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights99nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,958base 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
Precipitation13.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 61 °F, low 26 °F 61°26° JanFebruary: average high 65 °F, low 29 °F 65°29° FebMarch: average high 72 °F, low 35 °F 72°35° MarApril: average high 79 °F, low 40 °F 79°40° AprMay: average high 88 °F, low 47 °F 88°47° MayJune: average high 98 °F, low 54 °F 98°54° JunJuly: average high 101 °F, low 64 °F 101°64° JulAugust: average high 99 °F, low 63 °F 99°63° AugSeptember: average high 93 °F, low 55 °F 93°55° SepOctober: average high 82 °F, low 43 °F 82°43° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 32 °F 69°32° NovDecember: average high 59 °F, low 25 °F 59°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 1.36 in precipitation 1.4 JanFebruary: 1.28 in precipitation 1.3 FebMarch: 1.15 in precipitation 1.1 MarApril: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 AprMay: 0.40 in precipitation 0.4 MayJune: 0.19 in precipitation 0.2 JunJuly: 1.52 in precipitation 1.5 JulAugust: 2.13 in precipitation 2.1 AugSeptember: 1.49 in precipitation 1.5 SepOctober: 0.95 in precipitation 0.9 OctNovember: 0.71 in precipitation 0.7 NovDecember: 1.50 in precipitation 1.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Montezuma Castle Nm, AZ (11 mi away); precipitation: Montezuma Castle Nm, AZ (11 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.

863428a
Lake Montezuma, AZ · 7 mi
863418b
Sedona, AZ · 11 mi
863518b
Sedona, AZ · 11 mi
863258b
Cornville, AZ · 15 mi
863228b
Camp Verde, AZ · 15 mi
863398b
Sedona, AZ · 16 mi
863368b
Sedona, AZ · 19 mi
860177a
Munds Park, AZ · 20 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 86335

What planting zone is ZIP code 86335?

ZIP code 86335 (Rimrock, 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 Rimrock, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 86335 is April 16; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Montezuma Castle Nm station.

When is the first frost in Rimrock, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 86335 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 196 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 86335?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 86335 get?

About 13.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Montezuma Castle Nm station).

How hot do summers get in Rimrock, AZ?

The average high peaks at 101 °F in July, with about 135 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 86335 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Springerville at the center of ZIP 86335: very stony clay, well drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Rimrock, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 86335 came on Feb 3 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rimrock, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 86335 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 86335 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 86335 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.