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

Planting zone for 86506 — Houck, AZ

ZIP code 86506 (Houck, Apache 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 8.

Where ZIP 86506 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 8

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 Houck, 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 Houck, 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 10only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 25

Growing season138 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 7 and returns around October 17.

From the NOAA station Sanders, AZ — 10 miles away, elevation 5,853 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 86506

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 13 – Aug 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 22) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 86506 came on Mar 3 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

average
Mar 232026
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 Houck, AZ.

Soil in Houck, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 86506 is Plumasano — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH8.0alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Plumasano-Parkelei family complex, 1 to 15 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 86506; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Houck, AZ

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days52days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights159nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,843base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 33 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 46 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: Sanders, AZ (10 mi away); precipitation: Sanders, AZ (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Vanderwagen, NM · 22 mi

865027a

Chambers, AZ · 25 mi

865116a

Saint Michaels, AZ · 27 mi

865156b

Window Rock, AZ · 29 mi

873016a

Gallup, NM · 30 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 86506

What planting zone is ZIP code 86506?

ZIP code 86506 (Houck, 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 Houck, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 86506 is May 22; after June 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sanders station.

When is the first frost in Houck, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 86506 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 138 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 86506?

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 86506 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 Houck, AZ?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 52 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 86506 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Plumasano at the center of ZIP 86506: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 8.0 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Houck, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 86506 came on Mar 3 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Houck, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 86506 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.