Frost dates for 87316Fort Wingate, NM
The average last spring frost in Fort Wingate is May 11 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 148 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 148 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 196 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 11 · May 25 · Jun 7 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 11 | 126 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 11 · May 26 | Sep 27 · Oct 7 · Oct 20 | 148 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 29 · May 14 | Oct 4 · Oct 17 · Oct 31 | 168 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fort Wingate
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 10 – Jun 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87316 is matched to the NOAA station Gallup Sand & Gravel, NM, 19.6 km away, at 6,577 ft elevation (313 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallup Sand & Gravel, NM (used) | 6,577 ft | May 11 | Oct 7 |
| Mcgaffey 5 Se, NM | 8,000 ft | Jun 5 | Sep 25 |
| Gallup Muni Ap, NM | 6,471 ft | May 31 | Sep 28 |
| Thoreau 12 Se, NM | 7,425 ft | May 29 | Sep 26 |
Frost dates near Fort Wingate
- Church Rock, NM 87311 · last May 11, first Oct 7
- Rehoboth, NM 87322 · last May 11, first Oct 7
- Continental Divide, NM 87312 · last May 29, first Sep 26
- Gallup, NM 87301 · last May 11, first Oct 7
- Gamerco, NM 87317 · last May 11, first Oct 7
- Vanderwagen, NM 87326 · last Jun 3, first Sep 27
- Jamestown, NM 87347 · last Jun 5, first Sep 25
- Smith Lake, NM 87365 · last Jun 5, first Sep 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Wingate, NM?
- For ZIP code 87316, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gallup Sand & Gravel, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Fort Wingate, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87316?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 148 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.