Frost dates for 87060Tome, NM
The average last spring frost in Tome is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 178 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 178 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 22 · May 3 · May 16 | Sep 30 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 158 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 6 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 178 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 8 · Apr 26 | Oct 18 · Oct 31 · Nov 10 | 201 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tome
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 | Mar 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87060 is matched to the NOAA station Los Lunas 3 Ssw, NM, 3.8 km away, at 4,840 ft elevation (10 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Lunas 3 Ssw, NM (used) | 4,840 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 21 |
| Albuquerque Valley, NM | 4,955 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| Albuquerque Intl Ap, NM | 5,310 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 3 |
| Bernardo, NM | 4,735 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Tome
- Los Lunas, NM 87031 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Belen, NM 87002 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Peralta, NM 87042 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Bosque Farms, NM 87068 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Jarales, NM 87023 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Isleta, NM 87022 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Bosque, NM 87006 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Veguita, NM 87062 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tome, NM?
- For ZIP code 87060, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Los Lunas 3 Ssw, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Tome, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87060?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 178 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.