Frost dates for 87056Stanley, NM
The average last spring frost in Stanley is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 150 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 150 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (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 9 · May 21 · Jun 4 | Sep 17 · Sep 29 · Oct 10 | 129 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 9 · May 23 | Sep 25 · Oct 7 · Oct 20 | 150 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 30 · May 12 | Oct 2 · Oct 17 · Oct 30 | 168 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stanley
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 17 |
| 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 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| 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 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87056 is matched to the NOAA station Stanley 2 Nne, NM, 9.3 km away, at 6,375 ft elevation (105 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley 2 Nne, NM (used) | 6,375 ft | May 9 | Oct 7 |
| Moriarty 1 Ne, NM | 6,220 ft | May 14 | Oct 4 |
| Sandia Park, NM | 7,030 ft | May 9 | Oct 9 |
| Estancia 4N, NM | 6,140 ft | May 18 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Stanley
- Edgewood, NM 87015 · last May 14, first Oct 4
- Moriarty, NM 87035 · last May 14, first Oct 4
- Tijeras, NM 87059 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Sandia Park, NM 87047 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Mcintosh, NM 87032 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Cedar Crest, NM 87008 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Cerrillos, NM 87010 · last May 4, first Oct 15
- Lamy, NM 87540 · last May 4, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stanley, NM?
- For ZIP code 87056, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Stanley 2 Nne, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Stanley, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87056?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 150 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.