Frost dates for 87365Smith Lake, NM
The average last spring frost in Smith Lake is June 5 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 109 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 5
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 109 days
Safer after Jun 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 221 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 16 · Jul 1 | Sep 2 · Sep 17 · Sep 29 | 91 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 21 · Jun 5 · Jun 22 | Sep 10 · Sep 25 · Oct 6 | 109 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 8 · May 26 · Jun 12 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 15 | 127 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Smith 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 | May 5 – Jul 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 21 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 22 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 5 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Aug 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jul 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 22 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 22 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 22 – Jun 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87365 is matched to the NOAA station Mcgaffey 5 Se, NM, 29.1 km away, at 8,000 ft elevation (165 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mcgaffey 5 Se, NM (used) | 8,000 ft | Jun 5 | Sep 25 |
| Thoreau 12 Se, NM | 7,425 ft | May 29 | Sep 26 |
| Grants Ap, NM | 6,520 ft | May 17 | Oct 3 |
| Grants Milan Muni Ap, NM | 6,520 ft | May 24 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Smith Lake
- Jamestown, NM 87347 · last Jun 5, first Sep 25
- Yatahey, NM 87375 · last Jun 5, first Sep 25
- Thoreau, NM 87323 · last May 29, first Sep 26
- Continental Divide, NM 87312 · last May 29, first Sep 26
- Prewitt, NM 87045 · last May 29, first Sep 26
- Fort Wingate, NM 87316 · last May 11, first Oct 7
- Crownpoint, NM 87313 · last May 28, first Sep 28
- Bluewater, NM 87005 · last May 17, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Smith Lake, NM?
- For ZIP code 87365, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mcgaffey 5 Se, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 22.
- When is the first frost in Smith Lake, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87365?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 109 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.