Fall in zone 10aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 86403 (Lake Havasu City, 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, Lake Havasu City, AZ (2 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 49% of years (about 1 freezing night(s) a year on average). The dates below describe freeze timing for the station's record; in many years there may be no 32°F freeze at all.
- Average last spring frostJan 550% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 2950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)year-round in a typical yearmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone10a30 to 35°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
Freezes are uncommon here, so frost-based timing is rough. Local extension calendars for frost-free areas use months.
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
67°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 64°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Essex (49 mi).
4-inch depth
68°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 67°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Essex (49 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 86403 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 68°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 Feb 20 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
- Kale: fall sowing Sep 22–Oct 20
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 6–Nov 3
- Collards: fall sowing Sep 22–Oct 20
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 6–Nov 3
- Broccoli: fall transplant Sep 22–Oct 20
- Cabbage: fall transplant Sep 22–Oct 20
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Sep 22–Oct 20
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 13–27
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 6–20
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 6–20
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 13–27
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 13–27
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 6–20
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 6–20
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 6–20
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 13–27
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Pepper (sweet and hot): start seeds indoors Oct 27–Nov 10
- Eggplant: start seeds indoors Oct 27–Nov 10
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 20–Nov 17
- Lettuce: fall transplant Nov 3–24
- Spinach: fall sowing Nov 3–24
- Broccoli: start seeds indoors Oct 27–Nov 10
- Cabbage: start seeds indoors Oct 27–Nov 10
- Cauliflower: start seeds indoors Oct 27–Nov 10
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 20–Nov 3
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Nov 3–17
- Arugula: fall sowing Nov 3–Dec 1
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Nov 3–17
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
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) | Dec 17 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 5 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 3 |
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) | Dec 9 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 29 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 24 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jan 25 | Dec 17 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 5 | Dec 29 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | n/a | n/a |
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 86403
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 5) and first fall frost (Dec 29). 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 | Nov 10–24 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 1–29 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Sep 8–29 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Sep 8–29 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 10–24 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 10–24 | Dec 15–Jan 5 (transplant) Dec 8–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Nov 3–24 (transplant) Oct 20–Nov 17 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Nov 24–Dec 15 (sow outdoors) | Nov 3–24 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 10–24 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) Dec 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–Nov 3 (transplant) Sep 22–Oct 20 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 10–24 | Dec 8–Jan 5 (transplant) Dec 8–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–Nov 3 (transplant) Sep 22–Oct 20 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 22–Oct 20 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 22–Oct 20 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Dec 22–Jan 5 (transplant) | Sep 22–Oct 20 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 13–27 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 8–29 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 10–24 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) Dec 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 20–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Nov 3–17 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 8–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | Nov 3–Dec 1 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Nov 3–17 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Dec 22–Jan 12 (transplant) Dec 22–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 20–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 8–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 20–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Dec 15–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 1–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Nov 17–Dec 1 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 20–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Dec 15–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 10–Dec 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 13–27 | Nov 24–Dec 8 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Nov 24–Dec 22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 20–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 13–27 | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 17–Dec 15 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Nov 24–Dec 8 (transplant) | Nov 17–Dec 15 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 8–22 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jan 26–Feb 9 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jan 26–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 8–15 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 8–15 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 8–15 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 8–15 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 8–15 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 13–27 | Jan 12–19 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Nov 24–Dec 8 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Dec 22–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Nov 3–17 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Oct 27–Nov 10 | Dec 22–Jan 5 (transplant) Dec 15–Jan 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Nov 3–17 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 8–22 (transplant) | Oct 20–Nov 17 (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: Lake Havasu City, AZ (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00024761), elevation 449 ft, 2.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parker Resrvoir, CA | 16 mi | Jan 7 | Dec 31 |
| Parker, AZ | 22 mi | Jan 12 | Dec 19 |
| Needles AP, CA | 25 mi | Jan 6 | Jan 2 (next year) |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 7 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 86403
When is the last frost in 86403?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 86403 is January 5. For a more cautious planting date, use February 3, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 86403?
The average first fall freeze is December 29. In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 9.
What hardiness zone is 86403?
ZIP 86403 is in USDA zone 10a (30 to 35°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 86403 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
86404 Lake Havasu City 92267 86406 Lake Havasu City 86436 Golden Shores 92242 Big River 92363 Needles 86438 Yucca 86440 Mohave Valley
Other ZIP codes in Mohave County
85360 86021 86401 86404 86406 86409 86411 86413 86426 86429 86431 86432 86433 86434 86436 86437 86438 86440 86441 86442 86443 86444 86445 All Mohave 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.