Frost dates for 87061Torreon, NM
The average last spring frost in Torreon is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 192 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 5 · May 19 · Jun 3 | Sep 15 · Sep 29 · Oct 11 | 132 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 7 · May 21 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 20 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 28 · May 9 | Oct 3 · Oct 19 · Oct 31 | 172 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Torreon
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87061 is matched to the NOAA station Mountainair 8Nw, NM, 8 km away, at 6,672 ft elevation (110 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountainair 8Nw, NM (used) | 6,672 ft | May 7 | Oct 9 |
| Mountainair, NM | 6,520 ft | May 2 | Oct 19 |
| Estancia 4N, NM | 6,140 ft | May 18 | Oct 1 |
| Los Lunas 3 Ssw, NM | 4,840 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Torreon
- Estancia, NM 87016 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Mountainair, NM 87036 · last May 2, first Oct 19
- Willard, NM 87063 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Mcintosh, NM 87032 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Belen, NM 87002 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Peralta, NM 87042 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Los Lunas, NM 87031 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Tome, NM 87060 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Torreon, NM?
- For ZIP code 87061, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mountainair 8Nw, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Torreon, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. 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 87061?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.