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

Planting zone for 86431 — Chloride, AZ

ZIP code 86431 (Chloride, Mohave County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 86431 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 2

First frostNov 11

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 Chloride, 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 Chloride, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 26

Growing season220 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 6 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Kingman Mohave Co. Airport, AZ — 21 miles away, elevation 3,419 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 86431

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 16 – Sep 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 2) and first fall frost (Nov 11) 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 86431 came on Jan 31 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7).

average
Feb 72026
Jan 31

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 8b in Arizona

482 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arizona, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Chloride, AZ.

Soil in Chloride, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 86431 is Fig — extremely stony sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureExtremely stony sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.8slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fig-Blind-Nodman complex, 30 to 70 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 86431; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chloride, AZ

Summer high99 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, December

Hot days114days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights66nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,325base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 33 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 46 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation8.4 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: Kingman Mohave Co. Airport, AZ (21 mi away); precipitation: Dolan Springs 1.4 Nne, AZ (13 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

864419a

Dolan Springs, AZ · 10 mi

Bullhead City, AZ · 16 mi

864139a

Golden Valley, AZ · 18 mi

864128b

Hualapai, AZ · 23 mi

864459b

Willow Beach, AZ · 25 mi

8643010a

Bullhead City, AZ · 25 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 86431

What planting zone is ZIP code 86431?

ZIP code 86431 (Chloride, 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 Chloride, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 86431 is April 2; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kingman Mohave Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Chloride, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 86431 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 220 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 86431?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 5 – Feb 19 and set transplants outside around Apr 9 – Apr 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 86431 get?

About 8.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dolan Springs 1.4 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Chloride, AZ?

The average high peaks at 99 °F in July, with about 114 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 86431 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fig at the center of ZIP 86431: extremely stony sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 7.8 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Chloride, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 86431 came on Jan 31 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chloride, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 86431 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.