Frost dates for 87011Claunch, NM
The average last spring frost in Claunch is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 29 · May 12 · May 26 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 147 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 15 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 21 · May 6 | Oct 9 · Oct 24 · Nov 8 | 185 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Claunch
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87011 is matched to the NOAA station Gran Quivira Natl Mon, NM, 25.4 km away, at 6,600 ft elevation (478 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gran Quivira Natl Mon, NM (used) | 6,600 ft | May 2 | Oct 15 |
| Corona 10Sw, NM | 6,680 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
| Bingham 2 Ne, NM | 5,551 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 23 |
| Carrizozo 1Sw, NM | 5,405 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Claunch
- Corona, NM 88318 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Cedarvale, NM 87009 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Carrizozo, NM 88301 · last Apr 27, first Oct 20
- Willard, NM 87063 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Mountainair, NM 87036 · last May 2, first Oct 19
- Nogal, NM 88341 · last May 11, first Oct 5
- Capitan, NM 88316 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Fort Stanton, NM 88323 · last May 3, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Claunch, NM?
- For ZIP code 87011, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gran Quivira Natl Mon, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Claunch, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87011?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.