Frost dates for 87036Mountainair, NM
The average last spring frost in Mountainair is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 167 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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 14 · May 30 | Sep 26 · Oct 9 · Oct 22 | 147 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 2 · May 18 | Oct 4 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 21 · May 7 | Oct 15 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mountainair
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 29 |
| 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 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 29 |
| 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 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87036 is matched to the NOAA station Mountainair, NM, 0.6 km away, at 6,520 ft elevation (52 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountainair, NM (used) | 6,520 ft | May 2 | Oct 19 |
| Mountainair 8Nw, NM | 6,672 ft | May 7 | Oct 9 |
| Gran Quivira Natl Mon, NM | 6,600 ft | May 2 | Oct 15 |
| Estancia 4N, NM | 6,140 ft | May 18 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Mountainair
- Torreon, NM 87061 · last May 7, first Oct 9
- Willard, NM 87063 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Estancia, NM 87016 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Belen, NM 87002 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Mcintosh, NM 87032 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Veguita, NM 87062 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Jarales, NM 87023 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Bosque, NM 87006 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mountainair, NM?
- For ZIP code 87036, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mountainair, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Mountainair, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87036?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 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.