Frost dates for 86508Lupton, AZ
The average last spring frost in Lupton is May 31 and the average first fall frost is September 28, giving a typical growing season of about 119 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 31
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 28
- Growing season
- 119 days
Safer after Jun 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 209 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 29 · Jun 10 · Jun 23 | Sep 11 · Sep 21 · Oct 1 | 101 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 15 · May 31 · Jun 14 | Sep 17 · Sep 28 · Oct 9 | 119 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 2 · May 17 · Jun 2 | Sep 26 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 | 140 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lupton
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 30 – Jul 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jun 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 18 – Oct 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 86508 is matched to the NOAA station Gallup Muni Ap, NM, 29.5 km away, at 6,471 ft elevation (283 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallup Muni Ap, NM (used) | 6,471 ft | May 31 | Sep 28 |
| Sanders, AZ | 5,853 ft | May 22 | Oct 8 |
| Window Rock Ap, AZ | 6,739 ft | May 29 | Sep 28 |
| Zuni, NM | 6,311 ft | May 29 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Lupton
- Houck, AZ 86506 · last May 22, first Oct 8
- Mentmore, NM 87319 · last May 31, first Sep 28
- Gallup, NM 87305 · last May 11, first Oct 7
- Sanders, AZ 86512 · last May 22, first Oct 8
- Vanderwagen, NM 87326 · last Jun 3, first Sep 27
- Saint Michaels, AZ 86511 · last May 29, first Sep 28
- Window Rock, AZ 86515 · last May 29, first Sep 28
- Gamerco, NM 87317 · last May 11, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lupton, AZ?
- For ZIP code 86508, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gallup Muni Ap, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 14.
- When is the first frost in Lupton, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 86508?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 119 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.