Fall in zone 6bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 86515 (Tse Bonito, NM)
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, Window Rock AP, AZ (6 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 2950% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)121 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6b-5 to 0°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
51°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 51°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Thoreau (50 mi).
4-inch depth
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 52°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Thoreau (50 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 86515 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 52°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to mid-May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Mountain West and High Plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
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) | May 12 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 29 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 10 |
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) | Sep 16 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 28 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 8 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 8 | Sep 20 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 29 | Sep 28 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 13 | Oct 4 |
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 86515
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 29) and first fall frost (Sep 28). 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 | Apr 3–17 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 20–Apr 3 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 20–Apr 3 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 3–17 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 3–17 | May 8–29 (transplant) May 1–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–24 (transplant) Jul 20–Aug 17 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 17–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–24 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 3–17 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–Aug 3 (transplant) Jun 22–Jul 20 (sowing) |
| Collards | Apr 3–17 | May 1–29 (transplant) May 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–Aug 3 (transplant) Jun 22–Jul 20 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 1–15 (transplant) | Jun 22–Jul 20 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 1–15 (transplant) | Jun 22–Jul 20 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 15–29 (transplant) | Jun 22–Jul 20 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) | Jun 8–29 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 3–17 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | May 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–31 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | May 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 17–May 1 | May 15–Jun 5 (transplant) May 15–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | May 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 8–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 24–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | May 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 6–20 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 17–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 17–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | May 1–15 (transplant) | Jun 8–22 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 19–Jul 3 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 19–Jul 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | May 1–8 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | May 1–8 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | May 1–8 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | May 1–8 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | May 1–8 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 17–May 1 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 6–20 | Jun 5–12 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 17–May 1 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 15–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 15–29 (transplant) May 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | May 1–15 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 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: Window Rock AP, AZ (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00003029), elevation 6,739 ft, 5.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallup Muni AP, NM | 17 mi | May 31 | Sep 28 |
| Gallup Sand & Gravel, NM | 20 mi | May 11 | Oct 7 |
| Ganado, AZ | 32 mi | May 15 | Oct 10 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 20 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 86515
When is the last frost in 86515?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 86515 is May 29. For a more cautious planting date, use June 10, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 86515?
The average first fall freeze is September 28. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 16.
What hardiness zone is 86515?
ZIP 86515 is in USDA zone 6b (-5 to 0°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 86515 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
87320 Nakaibito 87375 Rock Springs 86504 Fort Defiance 87317 Gamerco 87319 Manuelito 87301 Gallup 86511 St. Michaels 87310 Brimhall Nizhoni
Other ZIP codes in McKinley County
87045 87301 87305 87310 87311 87312 87313 87316 87317 87319 87320 87322 87323 87325 87326 87327 87347 87365 87375 All McKinley County frost dates · New Mexico 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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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.