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

Planting zone for 86503 — Chinle, AZ

ZIP code 86503 (Chinle, Apache County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 86503 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostMay 6

First frostOct 8

2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Chinle, 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 Chinle, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 26

Growing season153 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Canyon De Chelly, AZ — 9 miles away, elevation 5,611 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 86503

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 86503 came on Mar 2 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

average
Mar 182026
Mar 2

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 7a in Arizona

457 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arizona, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Chinle, AZ.

Soil in Chinle, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 86503 is Monue — loamy fine sand, excessively drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.3%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Monue-Sheppard-Nakai complex, 1 to 6 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 86503; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chinle, AZ

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days72days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights139nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,391base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 38 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 41 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation8.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall5 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Canyon De Chelly, AZ (9 mi away); precipitation: Canyon De Chelly, AZ (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

865387a

Many Farms, AZ · 14 mi

Round Rock, AZ · 26 mi

865567a

Tsaile, AZ · 26 mi

865077a

Lukachukai, AZ · 26 mi

865457a

Rock Point, AZ · 35 mi

865116a

Saint Michaels, AZ · 37 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 86503

What planting zone is ZIP code 86503?

ZIP code 86503 (Chinle, AZ) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Chinle, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 86503 is May 6; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Canyon De Chelly station.

When is the first frost in Chinle, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 86503 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 86503?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 11 – Mar 25 and set transplants outside around May 13 – May 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 86503 get?

About 8.8 inches of precipitation a year and 5 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Canyon De Chelly station).

How hot do summers get in Chinle, 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 86503 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Monue at the center of ZIP 86503: loamy fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Chinle, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 86503 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chinle, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 86503 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.