Fall in zone 8bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 85540 (Morenci, AZ)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Clifton, AZ (6 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 2650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)268 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 85540 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring late January to February; fall September to October.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Arid Southwest (low desert). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Apr 13 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Perennial ryegrass (cool-season): Early fall: September; Late fall: October–November; Overseeded Bermuda: Light feeding once the winter rye is established, if needed. Avoid: Summer feeding.
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall transplant Sep 28–Oct 19
- Spinach: fall sowing Sep 28–Oct 19
- Arugula: fall sowing Sep 28–Oct 26
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 12–Nov 9
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 12–Nov 9
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 23: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Feb 6 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 26 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 15 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Nov 10 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 23 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 6 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 14 | Nov 14 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 26 | Nov 23 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 5 | Dec 5 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 85540
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 26) and first fall frost (Nov 23). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 1–15 | Mar 5–19 (transplant) | Jul 27–Aug 24 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 3–24 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 3–24 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 1–15 | Mar 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 1–15 | Feb 5–26 (transplant) Jan 29–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 19 (transplant) Sep 14–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 15–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 19 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 1–15 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 28 (transplant) Aug 17–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 1–15 | Jan 29–Feb 26 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 26 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 28 (transplant) Aug 17–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 4–18 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | Aug 3–24 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 1–15 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 29–Feb 26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 26 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 29–Feb 19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 15–29 | Feb 12–Mar 5 (transplant) Feb 12–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 29–Feb 26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 5–Mar 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 22–Mar 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 29–Feb 19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 4–18 | Jan 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 15–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 4–18 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 12–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 15–29 (transplant) | Oct 12–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | Aug 3–17 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 19–Apr 2 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 19–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 29–Feb 5 | Mar 5–19 (transplant) Mar 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 29–Feb 5 | Mar 5–19 (transplant) Mar 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 29–Feb 5 | Mar 5–19 (transplant) Mar 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 29–Feb 5 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) Mar 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 29–Feb 5 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) Mar 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 15–29 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) Mar 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 4–18 | Mar 5–12 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 15–29 | Mar 5–19 (transplant) Mar 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 12–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 18–Jan 1 | Feb 12–26 (transplant) Feb 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 26–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 26–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | Sep 14–Oct 12 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Clifton, AZ (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00021849), elevation 3,520 ft, 5.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safford Muni AP, AZ | 18 mi | Mar 8 | Nov 20 |
| Safford AG Ctr, AZ | 22 mi | Mar 25 | Nov 9 |
| Duncan, AZ | 23 mi | Apr 24 | Oct 25 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 60 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 85540
When is the last frost in 85540?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 85540 is February 26. For a more cautious planting date, use March 15, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 85540?
The average first fall freeze is November 23. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 10.
What hardiness zone is 85540?
ZIP 85540 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 85540 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
85533 Clifton 85551 Solomon 85534 Duncan 85546 Safford 85531 Central 88051 85552 Thatcher 85543 Pima
Other ZIP codes in Greenlee County
85533 85534 85922 All Greenlee County frost dates · Arizona frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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- Weekly yard to-dos
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.