Frost dates for 87020Grants, NM
The average last spring frost in Grants is May 17 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 137 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 137 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 202 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 15 · May 31 · Jun 10 | Sep 13 · Sep 25 · Oct 5 | 118 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 17 · Jun 1 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 14 | 137 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 21 · May 4 · May 21 | Sep 30 · Oct 11 · Oct 23 | 158 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Grants
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 16 – Jun 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jul 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – May 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87020 is matched to the NOAA station Grants Ap, NM, 4.7 km away, at 6,520 ft elevation (57 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grants Ap, NM (used) | 6,520 ft | May 17 | Oct 3 |
| Grants Milan Muni Ap, NM | 6,520 ft | May 24 | Oct 1 |
| Cubero, NM | 6,195 ft | May 13 | Oct 4 |
| Thoreau 12 Se, NM | 7,425 ft | May 29 | Sep 26 |
Frost dates near Grants
- Milan, NM 87021 · last May 17, first Oct 3
- San Rafael, NM 87051 · last May 17, first Oct 3
- Bluewater, NM 87005 · last May 17, first Oct 3
- San Fidel, NM 87049 · last May 13, first Oct 4
- Cubero, NM 87014 · last May 13, first Oct 4
- Prewitt, NM 87045 · last May 29, first Sep 26
- Casa Blanca, NM 87007 · last May 13, first Oct 4
- Pueblo Of Acoma, NM 87034 · last May 13, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Grants, NM?
- For ZIP code 87020, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Grants Ap, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Grants, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87020?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 137 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.