Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 85119 (Apache Junction, 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, Apache Junction 5 NE, AZ (5 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 1150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 1050% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)304 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°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 85119 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 Mar 29 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 sowing Oct 1–29
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 15–Nov 5
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 15–Nov 5
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 15–Nov 12
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 15–29
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 1–29
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 29–Nov 12
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 29–Nov 26
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 29–Nov 26
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 10: 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) | Jan 5 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 11 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 7 |
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 19 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 10 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 1 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 6 | Nov 28 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 11 | Dec 10 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 13 | Dec 22 |
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 85119
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 11) and first fall frost (Dec 10). 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 | Dec 17–31 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 3–17 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 3–17 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 17–31 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 17–31 | Jan 21–Feb 11 (transplant) Jan 14–Feb 25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–Nov 5 (transplant) Oct 1–29 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 31–Jan 21 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–Nov 5 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 17–31 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 15 (transplant) Sep 3–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 17–31 | Jan 14–Feb 11 (transplant) Jan 14–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 15 (transplant) Sep 3–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 3–17 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 3–17 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 3–17 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 10 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 17–31 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 14–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 14–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 31–Jan 14 | Jan 28–Feb 18 (transplant) Jan 28–Feb 25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 14–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 21–Feb 18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 7–Feb 18 (sow outdoors) | Oct 29–Nov 12 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 14–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 21–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 17–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Dec 31–Jan 14 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 31–Jan 28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 29–Nov 26 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 31–Jan 14 (transplant) | Oct 29–Nov 26 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 4–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 14–21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 14–21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 14–21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 14–21 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 14–21 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 31–Jan 14 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Feb 18–25 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 31–Jan 14 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 28–Feb 25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 3–17 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) Jan 21–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 11–25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 15–29 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Oct 1–29 (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: Apache Junction 5 NE, AZ (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00020288), elevation 2,070 ft, 5.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| E Mesa, AZ | 8 mi | Feb 1 | Dec 10 |
| Stewart Mtn Dam, AZ | 12 mi | Feb 13 | Dec 5 |
| Mormon Flat, AZ | 12 mi | Jan 29 | Dec 24 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 15 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 85119
When is the last frost in 85119?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 85119 is February 11. For a more cautious planting date, use March 7, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 85119?
The average first fall freeze is December 10. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 19.
What hardiness zone is 85119?
ZIP 85119 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 85119 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
85120 Apache Junction 85208 Mesa 85209 Mesa 85212 Mesa 85118 Gold Canyon 85207 Mesa 85215 Mesa 85140 San Tan Valley
Other ZIP codes in Pinal County
85118 85120 85121 85122 85123 85128 85131 85132 85137 85138 85139 85140 85141 85142 85143 85145 85147 85172 85173 85191 85192 85193 85194 85618 All Pinal County frost dates · Arizona frost dates
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- Freeze alerts
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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.