Frost dates for 87013Cuba, NM
The average last spring frost in Cuba is May 21 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 134 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 134 days
Safer after Jun 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 206 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) | May 22 · Jun 3 · Jun 15 | Sep 14 · Sep 26 · Oct 4 | 113 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 9 · May 21 · Jun 4 | Sep 24 · Oct 3 · Oct 12 | 134 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 27 · May 7 · May 21 | Sep 30 · Oct 10 · Oct 22 | 155 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cuba
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 20 – Jun 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jul 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – May 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87013 is matched to the NOAA station Johnson Rch, NM, 13.9 km away, at 7,203 ft elevation (94 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson Rch, NM (used) | 7,203 ft | May 21 | Oct 3 |
| Cuba, NM | 6,908 ft | May 30 | Sep 28 |
| Torreon Navajo Mission, NM | 6,700 ft | May 15 | Oct 5 |
| Star Lake, NM | 6,635 ft | May 28 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Cuba
- La Jara, NM 87027 · last May 28, first Sep 27
- Regina, NM 87046 · last May 28, first Sep 27
- Counselor, NM 87018 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Lindrith, NM 87029 · last May 28, first Sep 27
- Jemez Springs, NM 87025 · last Jun 19, first Sep 13
- Coyote, NM 87012 · last Jun 19, first Sep 13
- Gallina, NM 87017 · last Jun 19, first Sep 13
- Nageezi, NM 87037 · last May 28, first Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cuba, NM?
- For ZIP code 87013, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Johnson Rch, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 4.
- When is the first frost in Cuba, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87013?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 134 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.