Frost dates for 85926Fort Apache, AZ
The average last spring frost in Fort Apache is May 16 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 149 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 149 days
Safer after Jun 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 201 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 14 · May 29 · Jun 10 | Sep 23 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 129 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 16 · Jun 2 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 27 | 149 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 20 · May 4 · May 20 | Oct 8 · Oct 23 · Nov 6 | 171 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fort Apache
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – Jun 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jul 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85926 is matched to the NOAA station Black Rvr Pumps, AZ, 41.1 km away, at 6,065 ft elevation (1,009 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Rvr Pumps, AZ (used) | 6,065 ft | May 16 | Oct 13 |
| Pinetop 2E, AZ | 7,200 ft | May 22 | Oct 6 |
| Mc Nary 2N, AZ | 7,340 ft | May 20 | Oct 11 |
| Sunrise Mtn, AZ | 9,371 ft | Jun 18 | Sep 18 |
Frost dates near Fort Apache
- Whiteriver, AZ 85941 · last May 16, first Oct 13
- Mcnary, AZ 85930 · last May 20, first Oct 11
- Pinetop, AZ 85935 · last May 22, first Oct 6
- Lakeside, AZ 85929 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- Greer, AZ 85927 · last Jun 5, first Sep 29
- Cibecue, AZ 85911 · last May 6, first Oct 20
- White Mountain Lake, AZ 85912 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- Show Low, AZ 85902 · last May 5, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Apache, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85926, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Black Rvr Pumps, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 2.
- When is the first frost in Fort Apache, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 85926?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 149 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.