Frost dates for 87072Cochiti Pueblo, NM
The average last spring frost in Cochiti Pueblo is April 26 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 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 178 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 23 · May 5 · May 18 | Sep 29 · Oct 11 · Oct 24 | 158 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 26 · May 8 | Oct 8 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 178 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · May 1 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 11 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cochiti Pueblo
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87072 is matched to the NOAA station Cochiti Dam, NM, 4 km away, at 5,560 ft elevation (278 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cochiti Dam, NM (used) | 5,560 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 21 |
| Santa Fe Co Muni Ap, NM | 6,344 ft | May 4 | Oct 15 |
| Los Alamos, NM | 7,424 ft | May 2 | Oct 12 |
| Jemez Dam, NM | 5,388 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Cochiti Pueblo
- Pena Blanca, NM 87041 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Cochiti Lake, NM 87083 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM 87052 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Algodones, NM 87001 · last Apr 17, first Oct 24
- White Rock, NM 87547 · last May 4, first Oct 15
- Cerrillos, NM 87010 · last May 4, first Oct 15
- Los Alamos, NM 87545 · last May 2, first Oct 12
- Ponderosa, NM 87044 · last May 9, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cochiti Pueblo, NM?
- For ZIP code 87072, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cochiti Dam, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Cochiti Pueblo, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87072?
- 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.