Fall in zone 6bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 86506 (Houck, AZ)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Sanders, AZ (10 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)138 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6b-5 to 0°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
51°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 51°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Thoreau (61 mi).
4-inch depth
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 52°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Thoreau (61 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 86506 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 52°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to mid-May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Mountain West and High Plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | May 5 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 22 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 10 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 25 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 8 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 22 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 4 | Oct 1 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 22 | Oct 8 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 7 | Oct 17 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 86506
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 22) and first fall frost (Oct 8). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 27–Apr 10 | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 13–27 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 13–27 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 27–Apr 10 | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 27–Apr 10 | May 1–22 (transplant) Apr 24–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (transplant) Jul 30–Aug 27 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 10–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 27–Apr 10 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Jul 16–Aug 13 (transplant) Jul 2–30 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 27–Apr 10 | Apr 24–May 22 (transplant) Apr 24–May 22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 16–Aug 13 (transplant) Jul 2–30 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 13–27 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | Jul 2–30 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 13–27 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | Jul 2–30 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13–27 | May 8–22 (transplant) | Jul 2–30 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 27–Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | Jun 18–Jul 9 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 27–Apr 10 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Jul 30–Aug 13 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 24–May 22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 24–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 10–24 | May 8–29 (transplant) May 8–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Jul 30–Aug 13 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 24–May 22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 30–Aug 13 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 16–30 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 17–May 29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 24–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 30–Aug 13 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 27–Apr 24 (sow outdoors) | Jul 16–30 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 27–Mar 13 | Apr 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 10–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Jul 30–Aug 13 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 27–Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 27–Sep 24 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 10–24 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | Jun 18–Jul 2 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 12–Jul 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 24–May 1 | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 24–May 1 | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 24–May 1 | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 24–May 1 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 24–May 1 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 10–24 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 27–Mar 13 | May 29–Jun 5 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 10–24 | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 8–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 13–27 | May 8–22 (transplant) May 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 27 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Sanders, AZ (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00027488), elevation 5,853 ft, 9.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Window Rock AP, AZ | 24 mi | May 29 | Sep 28 |
| Gallup Muni AP, NM | 28 mi | May 31 | Sep 28 |
| Ganado, AZ | 30 mi | May 15 | Oct 10 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 16 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 86506
When is the last frost in 86506?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 86506 is May 22. For a more cautious planting date, use June 10, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 86506?
The average first fall freeze is October 8. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 25.
What hardiness zone is 86506?
ZIP 86506 is in USDA zone 6b (-5 to 0°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 86506 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
86508 Lupton 86512 Sanders 87319 Manuelito 87326 Vanderwagen 86502 Wide Ruins 86511 St. Michaels 86515 Tse Bonito 87305 Pinehaven
Other ZIP codes in Apache County
85920 85924 85925 85927 85930 85932 85936 85938 85940 86028 86502 86503 86504 86505 86507 86508 86511 86512 86514 86520 86535 86538 86540 86544 All Apache County frost dates · Arizona frost dates
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- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.