Fall in zone 8bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 85602 (Benson, 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, Cascabel, AZ (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 2450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 3150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)187 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
68°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 66°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Walnut Gulch #1 (36 mi), Elgin 5 S (40 mi), Tucson 11 W (45 mi).
4-inch depth
69°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 70°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Walnut Gulch #1 (36 mi), Elgin 5 S (40 mi), Tucson 11 W (45 mi).
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 85602 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 69°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
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 Jun 9 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
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 31: 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) | Apr 9 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 24 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 9 |
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) | Oct 14 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 31 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 15 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 6 | Oct 22 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 24 | Oct 31 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 9 | Nov 10 |
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 85602
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 31). 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 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 13–27 | May 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 13–27 | May 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 27–Mar 13 | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 27–Mar 13 | Apr 3–24 (transplant) Mar 27–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–26 (transplant) Aug 22–Sep 19 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 13–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–26 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 27–Mar 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (transplant) Jul 25–Aug 22 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 27–Mar 13 | Mar 27–Apr 24 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (transplant) Jul 25–Aug 22 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 13–27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 22 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 13–27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 22 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 13–27 | Apr 10–24 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 22 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | Jul 11–Aug 1 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 27–Mar 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 27–Apr 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 27–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 13–27 | Apr 10–May 1 (transplant) Apr 10–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 27–Apr 24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 20–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 27–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 27–Mar 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 13–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 19–Oct 17 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | Sep 19–Oct 17 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | Jul 11–25 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 15–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 8–22 (transplant) May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 8–22 (transplant) May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 13–27 | May 8–22 (transplant) May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 30–Feb 13 | May 1–8 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 13–27 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 10–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 13–27 | Apr 10–24 (transplant) Apr 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | Aug 22–Sep 19 (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: Cascabel, AZ (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00021330), elevation 3,194 ft, 7.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saguaro Np, AZ | 19 mi | Jan 26 | Dec 16 |
| Benson 6SE, AZ | 22 mi | Apr 12 | Nov 1 |
| Mt Lemmon Willow Canyon, AZ | 22 mi | Apr 1 | Nov 19 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 91 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 85602
When is the last frost in 85602?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 85602 is April 24. For a more cautious planting date, use May 9, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 85602?
The average first fall freeze is October 31. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 14.
What hardiness zone is 85602?
ZIP 85602 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 85602 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
85627 85641 Vail 85730 Tucson 85609 Dragoon 85748 Tucson 85749 Tanque Verde 85747 Tucson 85630 Benson
Other ZIP codes in Cochise County
85603 85605 85606 85607 85608 85609 85610 85613 85615 85616 85617 85620 85625 85626 85627 85630 85632 85635 85638 85650 All Cochise 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.