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

Planting zone for 86505 — Ganado, AZ

ZIP code 86505 (Ganado, Apache County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 86505 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 15

First frostOct 10

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 Ganado, 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 Ganado, AZ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 28

Growing season147 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 19.

From the NOAA station Ganado, AZ — 11 miles away, elevation 6,339 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 86505

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 24

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

TomatoesTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12

BeansSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 15) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 86505 came on Mar 3 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21).

average
Mar 212026
Mar 3

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 Ganado, AZ.

Soil in Ganado, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 86505 is Betonnie — fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH8.1alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Betonnie-Pinavetes family complex, 3 to 10 percent slopes..

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 86505; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ganado, AZ

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days34days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights174nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,719base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 34 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation8.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall4 inper year; 1 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: Ganado, AZ (11 mi away); precipitation: Sanders, AZ (35 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.

865116a

Saint Michaels, AZ · 21 mi

860346b

Keams Canyon, AZ · 26 mi

865406b

Nazlini, AZ · 26 mi

860317a

Indian Wells, AZ · 27 mi

Fort Defiance, AZ · 36 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 86505

What planting zone is ZIP code 86505?

ZIP code 86505 (Ganado, 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 Ganado, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 86505 is May 15; after June 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ganado station.

When is the first frost in Ganado, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 86505 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 147 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 86505?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 20 – Apr 3 and set transplants outside around May 22 – Jun 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 86505 get?

About 8.2 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sanders station).

How hot do summers get in Ganado, AZ?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 34 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 86505 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Betonnie at the center of ZIP 86505: fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 8.1 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Ganado, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 86505 came on Mar 3 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ganado, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 86505 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.