Frost dates for 87327Zuni, NM
The average last spring frost in Zuni is May 29 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 127 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 127 days
Safer after Jun 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (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 24 · Jun 6 · Jun 21 | Sep 12 · Sep 25 · Oct 5 | 108 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 9 · May 29 · Jun 13 | Sep 21 · Oct 2 · Oct 14 | 127 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 26 · May 12 · Jun 4 | Sep 29 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 149 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Zuni
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 12 |
| 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 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 12 |
| 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) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jul 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87327 is matched to the NOAA station Zuni, NM, 0.5 km away, at 6,311 ft elevation (28 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zuni, NM (used) | 6,311 ft | May 29 | Oct 2 |
| El Morro Natl Mon, NM | 7,223 ft | Jun 3 | Sep 27 |
| Mcgaffey 5 Se, NM | 8,000 ft | Jun 5 | Sep 25 |
| Sanders, AZ | 5,853 ft | May 22 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Zuni
- Ramah, NM 87321 · last Jun 3, first Sep 27
- Vanderwagen, NM 87326 · last Jun 3, first Sep 27
- Lupton, AZ 86508 · last May 31, first Sep 28
- Pinehill, NM 87357 · last Jun 3, first Sep 27
- Fence Lake, NM 87315 · last May 31, first Oct 1
- Houck, AZ 86506 · last May 22, first Oct 8
- Gallup, NM 87305 · last May 11, first Oct 7
- Sanders, AZ 86512 · last May 22, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Zuni, NM?
- For ZIP code 87327, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Zuni, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 13.
- When is the first frost in Zuni, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87327?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 127 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.