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

Planting zone for 89046 — Searchlight, NV

ZIP code 89046 (Searchlight, Clark County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is March 7 and the first fall frost November 29.

Where ZIP 89046 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F
Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C
Last frostMar 7
First frostNov 29
2012 zone9a

Was 9a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Searchlight, NV…

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 Searchlight, NV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 10only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 29median — 10% chance by Nov 7
Growing season266 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 11 and returns around December 11.

From the NOAA station Searchlight, NV — 7 miles away, elevation 3,540 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 89046

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 4 – Oct 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 15 – Dec 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 7) and first fall frost (Nov 29) 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 89046 came on Jan 22 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28).

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 9b in Nevada

544 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Nevada, and rated by the USDA to survive 25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 29

Arizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FCalifornia red fir150 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FDouglas-fir200 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 112

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °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 °Fbig saltbush10 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to 7 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 256

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 137

Alaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali 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 °Farctic bluegrass2 ft · high shade tolerance · to −62 °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 Searchlight, NV.

Soil in Searchlight, NV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 89046 is Cheme — extremely gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureExtremely gravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.5alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cheme-Carrizo-Huevi association.

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 89046; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Searchlight, NV

Summer high97 °Faverage high, July
Winter low37 °Faverage low, December
Hot days105days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights23nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,694base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 34 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation7.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 54 °F, low 38 °F 54°38° JanFebruary: average high 58 °F, low 39 °F 58°39° FebMarch: average high 65 °F, low 44 °F 65°44° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 57 °F 82°57° MayJune: average high 93 °F, low 66 °F 93°66° JunJuly: average high 97 °F, low 72 °F 97°72° JulAugust: average high 96 °F, low 71 °F 96°71° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 66 °F 89°66° SepOctober: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° OctNovember: average high 63 °F, low 44 °F 63°44° NovDecember: average high 53 °F, low 37 °F 53°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 1.18 in precipitation 1.2 JanFebruary: 1.50 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 1.5❄1 FebMarch: 0.73 in precipitation 0.7 MarApril: 0.36 in precipitation 0.4 AprMay: 0.15 in precipitation 0.1 MayJune: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 JunJuly: 0.81 in precipitation 0.8 JulAugust: 0.80 in precipitation 0.8 AugSeptember: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 SepOctober: 0.52 in precipitation 0.5 OctNovember: 0.32 in precipitation 0.3 NovDecember: 0.90 in precipitation 0.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Searchlight, NV (7 mi away); precipitation: Searchlight, NV (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

890399a
Cal Nev Ari, NV · 17 mi
864459b
Willow Beach, AZ · 19 mi
889059a
The Lakes, NV · 30 mi
890069b
Boulder City, NV · 30 mi
890099b
Henderson, NV · 30 mi
890169b
Henderson, NV · 30 mi
890539b
Henderson, NV · 30 mi
890449a
Henderson, NV · 33 mi

Nevada planting zones →

Questions about 89046

What planting zone is ZIP code 89046?

ZIP code 89046 (Searchlight, NV) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Searchlight, NV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 89046 is March 7; after April 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Searchlight station.

When is the first frost in Searchlight, NV?

The median first fall frost near 89046 is November 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 266 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 89046?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 10 – Jan 24 and set transplants outside around Mar 14 – Mar 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 89046 get?

About 7.8 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Searchlight station).

How hot do summers get in Searchlight, NV?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in July, with about 105 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 89046 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cheme at the center of ZIP 89046: extremely gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.5 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Searchlight, NV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 89046 came on Jan 22 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Searchlight, NV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 89046 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 89046 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 89046 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.