Frost dates for 87323Thoreau, NM
The average last spring frost in Thoreau is May 29 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 118 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 29
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 118 days
Safer after Jun 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 214 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 25 · Jun 6 · Jun 21 | Sep 6 · Sep 17 · Sep 29 | 101 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 11 · May 29 · Jun 12 | Sep 13 · Sep 26 · Oct 6 | 118 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 28 · May 15 · Jun 2 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 15 | 139 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Thoreau
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 28 – Jul 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 15 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jun 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jul 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87323 is matched to the NOAA station Thoreau 12 Se, NM, 10.9 km away, at 7,425 ft elevation (433 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thoreau 12 Se, NM (used) | 7,425 ft | May 29 | Sep 26 |
| Mcgaffey 5 Se, NM | 8,000 ft | Jun 5 | Sep 25 |
| Grants Milan Muni Ap, NM | 6,520 ft | May 24 | Oct 1 |
| Grants Ap, NM | 6,520 ft | May 17 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Thoreau
- Prewitt, NM 87045 · last May 29, first Sep 26
- Jamestown, NM 87347 · last Jun 5, first Sep 25
- Smith Lake, NM 87365 · last Jun 5, first Sep 25
- Yatahey, NM 87375 · last Jun 5, first Sep 25
- Continental Divide, NM 87312 · last May 29, first Sep 26
- Bluewater, NM 87005 · last May 17, first Oct 3
- Fort Wingate, NM 87316 · last May 11, first Oct 7
- Milan, NM 87021 · last May 17, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Thoreau, NM?
- For ZIP code 87323, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Thoreau 12 Se, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 12.
- When is the first frost in Thoreau, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87323?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 118 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.