Frost dates for 87326Vanderwagen, NM
The average last spring frost in Vanderwagen is June 3 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 114 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 3
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 114 days
Safer after Jun 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 219 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) | Jun 1 · Jun 12 · Jun 28 | Sep 5 · Sep 19 · Sep 29 | 95 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 20 · Jun 3 · Jun 15 | Sep 14 · Sep 27 · Oct 7 | 114 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 4 · May 20 · Jun 6 | Sep 22 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 137 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Vanderwagen
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 | May 3 – Jul 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 19 – Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 20 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 3 – Jun 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Aug 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jun 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jul 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 20 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 20 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jul 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 20 – Jun 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87326 is matched to the NOAA station El Morro Natl Mon, NM, 47.1 km away, at 7,223 ft elevation (70 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Morro Natl Mon, NM (used) | 7,223 ft | Jun 3 | Sep 27 |
| Gallup Sand & Gravel, NM | 6,577 ft | May 11 | Oct 7 |
| Gallup Muni Ap, NM | 6,471 ft | May 31 | Sep 28 |
| Mcgaffey 5 Se, NM | 8,000 ft | Jun 5 | Sep 25 |
Frost dates near Vanderwagen
- Gallup, NM 87305 · last May 11, first Oct 7
- Rehoboth, NM 87322 · last May 11, first Oct 7
- Mentmore, NM 87319 · last May 31, first Sep 28
- Church Rock, NM 87311 · last May 11, first Oct 7
- Gamerco, NM 87317 · last May 11, first Oct 7
- Fort Wingate, NM 87316 · last May 11, first Oct 7
- Ramah, NM 87321 · last Jun 3, first Sep 27
- Lupton, AZ 86508 · last May 31, first Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Vanderwagen, NM?
- For ZIP code 87326, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the El Morro Natl Mon, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 15.
- When is the first frost in Vanderwagen, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87326?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 114 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.