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

Planting zone for 86437 — Valentine, AZ

ZIP code 86437 (Valentine, Mohave County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 86437 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 frostMay 17
First frostOct 10
2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Valentine, 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 Valentine, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 4only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season146 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Diamond M Rch, AZ — 15 miles away, elevation 5,492 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 86437

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
TomatoesTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14
BeansSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 17) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 86437 came on Feb 4 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19).

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 Valentine, AZ.

Soil in Valentine, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 86437 is Kingtut — very gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.8slightly 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: Kingtut-Promontory complex, 3 to 12 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 86437; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Valentine, AZ

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, December
Hot days63days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights165nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,917base 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
Precipitation15.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall21 inper year; 15 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 52 °F, low 23 °F 52°23° JanFebruary: average high 54 °F, low 24 °F 54°24° FebMarch: average high 61 °F, low 28 °F 61°28° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 32 °F 67°32° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 39 °F 76°39° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 46 °F 88°46° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 55 °F 92°55° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 54 °F 89°54° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 47 °F 84°47° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 36 °F 73°36° OctNovember: average high 62 °F, low 27 °F 62°27° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 22 °F 52°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 1.41 in precipitation, 4.1 in snowfall 1.4❄4 JanFebruary: 1.85 in precipitation, 5 in snowfall 1.9❄5 FebMarch: 1.32 in precipitation, 2.8 in snowfall 1.3❄3 MarApril: 0.65 in precipitation, 2.2 in snowfall 0.7❄2 AprMay: 0.23 in precipitation 0.2 MayJune: 0.13 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 2.37 in precipitation 2.4 JulAugust: 2.45 in precipitation 2.5 AugSeptember: 1.26 in precipitation 1.3 SepOctober: 1.49 in precipitation 1.5 OctNovember: 0.91 in precipitation, 2 in snowfall 0.9❄2 NovDecember: 1.25 in precipitation, 4.9 in snowfall 1.3❄5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Diamond M Rch, AZ (15 mi away); precipitation: Diamond M Rch, AZ (15 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.

864118a
Hackberry, AZ · 9 mi
864128b
Hualapai, AZ · 14 mi
864348a
Peach Springs, AZ · 18 mi
864018b
Kingman, AZ · 21 mi
864098b
Kingman, AZ · 24 mi
864028b
Kingman, AZ · 28 mi
863377a
Seligman, AZ · 33 mi
864318b
Chloride, AZ · 37 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 86437

What planting zone is ZIP code 86437?

ZIP code 86437 (Valentine, 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 Valentine, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 86437 is May 17; after June 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Diamond M Rch station.

When is the first frost in Valentine, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 86437 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 146 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 86437?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 22 – Apr 5 and set transplants outside around May 24 – Jun 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 86437 get?

About 15.3 inches of precipitation a year and 21 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Diamond M Rch station).

How hot do summers get in Valentine, AZ?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 63 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 86437 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kingtut at the center of ZIP 86437: very gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.8 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Valentine, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 86437 came on Feb 4 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Valentine, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 86437 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.