Frost dates for 87315Fence Lake, NM
The average last spring frost in Fence Lake is May 31 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 122 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 31
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 122 days
Safer after Jun 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 216 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 30 · Jun 9 · Jun 23 | Sep 11 · Sep 23 · Oct 4 | 104 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 15 · May 31 · Jun 15 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 122 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 1 · May 17 · Jun 4 | Sep 26 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 144 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fence Lake
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 30 – Jul 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87315 is matched to the NOAA station Fence Lake, NM, 9.2 km away, at 7,065 ft elevation (267 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fence Lake, NM (used) | 7,065 ft | May 31 | Oct 1 |
| Zuni, NM | 6,311 ft | May 29 | Oct 2 |
| El Morro Natl Mon, NM | 7,223 ft | Jun 3 | Sep 27 |
| Quemado, NM | 6,878 ft | Jun 1 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Fence Lake
- Pinehill, NM 87357 · last Jun 3, first Sep 27
- Zuni, NM 87327 · last May 29, first Oct 2
- Ramah, NM 87321 · last Jun 3, first Sep 27
- Quemado, NM 87829 · last Jun 1, first Sep 29
- Pie Town, NM 87827 · last Jun 1, first Sep 29
- Saint Johns, AZ 85936 · last May 3, first Oct 10
- Vanderwagen, NM 87326 · last Jun 3, first Sep 27
- Lupton, AZ 86508 · last May 31, first Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fence Lake, NM?
- For ZIP code 87315, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Fence Lake, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 15.
- When is the first frost in Fence Lake, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87315?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 122 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.