Frost dates for 87018Counselor, NM
The average last spring frost in Counselor is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 153 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 153 days
Safer after May 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 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 4 · May 23 · Jun 7 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 14 | 130 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 9 · May 31 | Sep 29 · Oct 9 · Oct 24 | 153 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 26 · May 15 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 4 | 175 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Counselor
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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87018 is matched to the NOAA station Lybrook, NM, 8.4 km away, at 7,150 ft elevation (126 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lybrook, NM (used) | 7,150 ft | May 9 | Oct 9 |
| Star Lake, NM | 6,635 ft | May 28 | Sep 28 |
| Otis, NM | 6,880 ft | May 4 | Oct 15 |
| Lindrith 1 Wsw, NM | 7,220 ft | May 28 | Sep 27 |
Frost dates near Counselor
- Nageezi, NM 87037 · last May 28, first Sep 27
- Cuba, NM 87013 · last May 21, first Oct 3
- Lindrith, NM 87029 · last May 28, first Sep 27
- La Jara, NM 87027 · last May 28, first Sep 27
- Regina, NM 87046 · last May 28, first Sep 27
- Gallina, NM 87017 · last Jun 19, first Sep 13
- Blanco, NM 87412 · last May 12, first Oct 6
- Jemez Springs, NM 87025 · last Jun 19, first Sep 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Counselor, NM?
- For ZIP code 87018, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lybrook, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 31.
- When is the first frost in Counselor, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87018?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 153 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.