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

Planting zone for 86508 — Lupton, AZ

ZIP code 86508 (Lupton, 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 86508 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 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Lupton, 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 Lupton, 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 — 16 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 86508

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 86508 came on Mar 2 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

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).

Soil in Lupton, AZ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 86508 is Rizno — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.0alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.2%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rizno-Tekapo family-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 45 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 86508; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lupton, 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

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 19 °F 48°19° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 22 °F 52°22° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 26 °F 60°26° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 31 °F 68°31° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 38 °F 77°38° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 46 °F 88°46° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 56 °F 90°56° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 56 °F 88°56° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 48 °F 82°48° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 37 °F 70°37° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 26 °F 58°26° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 19 °F 48°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 0.89 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 0.9❄1 JanFebruary: 0.38 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 0.4❄1 FebMarch: 0.70 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 0.7❄1 MarApril: 0.41 in precipitation 0.4 AprMay: 0.32 in precipitation 0.3 MayJune: 0.11 in precipitation 0.1 JunJuly: 1.17 in precipitation 1.2 JulAugust: 1.38 in precipitation 1.4 AugSeptember: 0.53 in precipitation 0.5 SepOctober: 0.86 in precipitation 0.9 OctNovember: 0.70 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 0.7 NovDecember: 0.71 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 0.7❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sanders, AZ (16 mi away); precipitation: Sanders, AZ (16 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.

865066b
Houck, AZ · 10 mi
873196a
Mentmore, NM · 12 mi
873266a
Vanderwagen, NM · 13 mi
865126b
Sanders, AZ · 20 mi
873016a
Gallup, NM · 22 mi
873176b
Gamerco, NM · 25 mi
865156b
Window Rock, AZ · 25 mi
873276a
Zuni, NM · 26 mi

Arizona planting zones →

Questions about 86508

What planting zone is ZIP code 86508?

ZIP code 86508 (Lupton, 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 Lupton, AZ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 86508 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 Lupton, AZ?

The median first fall frost near 86508 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 138 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 86508?

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 86508 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 Lupton, 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 86508 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rizno at the center of ZIP 86508: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.0 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Lupton, AZ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 86508 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lupton, AZ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 86508 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 86508 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 86508 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.