Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 85929 — Lakeside, AZ

ZIP code 85929 (Lakeside, Navajo County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 85929 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostMay 22

First frostOct 6

2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lakeside, AZ…

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 Lakeside, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 24

Growing season138 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 5 and returns around October 17.

From the NOAA station Pinetop 2e, AZ — 4 miles away, elevation 7,202 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 85929

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 10 – May 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 1 – May 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

TomatoesTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 5 – Jun 19

BeansSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 22) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 85929 came on Mar 1 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22).

average
Mar 222026
Mar 1

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 6b in Arizona

441 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Arizona, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Lakeside, AZ.

Soil in Lakeside, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 85929 is Pachic Argiustolls — cobbly silt loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pachic Argiustolls, Typic Haplustalfs, and Lithic Haplustepts; cool mesic ustic mountains.

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 85929; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lakeside, AZ

Summer high82 °Faverage high, June

Winter low19 °Faverage low, December

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights163nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,095base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 26 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation24.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall70 inper year; 51 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Pinetop 2e, AZ (4 mi away); precipitation: Pinetop 2e, AZ (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

White Mountain Lake, AZ · 17 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 85929

What planting zone is ZIP code 85929?

ZIP code 85929 (Lakeside, AZ) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Lakeside, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 85929 is May 22; after June 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pinetop 2e station.

When is the first frost in Lakeside, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 85929 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 138 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 85929?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 27 – Apr 10 and set transplants outside around May 29 – Jun 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 85929 get?

About 24.1 inches of precipitation a year and 70 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pinetop 2e station).

How hot do summers get in Lakeside, AZ?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in June, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 85929 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pachic Argiustolls at the center of ZIP 85929: cobbly silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Lakeside, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 85929 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lakeside, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 85929 is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.