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

Planting zone for 86535 — Dennehotso, AZ

ZIP code 86535 (Dennehotso, Apache County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 86535 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 frostApr 10

First frostNov 1

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 Dennehotso, 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 Dennehotso, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 17

Growing season205 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 25 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Monument Valley, AZ — 18 miles away, elevation 5,502 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 86535

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 86535 came on Mar 2 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

average
Mar 162026
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 Dennehotso, AZ.

Soil in Dennehotso, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 86535 is Needle — fine sand, excessively drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH8.0alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.8%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rock outcrop-Needle-Lithic Torriorthents complex, 1 to 25 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 86535; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dennehotso, AZ

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days59days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights105nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,194base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 41 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 38 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation6.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 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: Monument Valley, AZ (18 mi away); precipitation: Mexican Hat, UT (22 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.

845317b

Mexican Hat, UT · 16 mi

865457a

Rock Point, AZ · 19 mi

860337a

Kayenta, AZ · 24 mi

865477a

Round Rock, AZ · 29 mi

845368a

Monument Valley, UT · 29 mi

845127a

Bluff, UT · 29 mi

865147a

Teec Nos Pos, AZ · 30 mi

865387a

Many Farms, AZ · 31 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 86535

What planting zone is ZIP code 86535?

ZIP code 86535 (Dennehotso, 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 Dennehotso, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 86535 is April 10; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Monument Valley station.

When is the first frost in Dennehotso, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 86535 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 205 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 86535?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 13 – Feb 27 and set transplants outside around Apr 17 – May 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 86535 get?

About 6.3 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mexican Hat station).

How hot do summers get in Dennehotso, AZ?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 59 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 86535 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Needle at the center of ZIP 86535: fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 8.0 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Dennehotso, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 86535 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dennehotso, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 86535 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.