Frost dates for 86505Ganado, AZ
The average last spring frost in Ganado is May 15 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 147 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 147 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 200 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 12 · May 29 · Jun 14 | Sep 21 · Oct 1 · Oct 15 | 126 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 15 · Jun 1 | Sep 28 · Oct 10 · Oct 24 | 147 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · May 2 · May 21 | Oct 4 · Oct 19 · Nov 3 | 167 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ganado
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 14 – Jun 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 86505 is matched to the NOAA station Ganado, AZ, 1.1 km away, at 6,340 ft elevation (51 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ganado, AZ (used) | 6,340 ft | May 15 | Oct 10 |
| Window Rock Ap, AZ | 6,739 ft | May 29 | Sep 28 |
| Canyon De Chelly, AZ | 5,610 ft | May 6 | Oct 8 |
| Sanders, AZ | 5,853 ft | May 22 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Ganado
- Nazlini, AZ 86540 · last May 15, first Oct 10
- Saint Michaels, AZ 86511 · last May 29, first Sep 28
- Window Rock, AZ 86515 · last May 29, first Sep 28
- Fort Defiance, AZ 86504 · last May 29, first Sep 28
- Chinle, AZ 86503 · last May 6, first Oct 8
- Navajo, NM 87328 · last May 29, first Sep 28
- Petrified Forest Natl Pk, AZ 86028 · last May 22, first Oct 8
- Chambers, AZ 86502 · last May 22, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ganado, AZ?
- For ZIP code 86505, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ganado, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Ganado, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 86505?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 147 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.